Chandigarh / Jalandhar-Sukhpal Singh Khaira, MLA, today questioned the intent and sincerity of the Bhagwant Mann led Aam Aadmi Party government for allotting the prestigious Baba Hira Singh Bhattal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lehra Gaga, to a private society on nominal lease rates instead of establishing a government-run medical college on existing public infrastructure.
Referring to his statement issued on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Khaira demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann place in the public domain the complete terms and conditions of the allotment, including the identity, background and track record of the private society and its office bearers to whom valuable state property has been handed over.
Mr. Khaira questioned why the Punjab government, which repeatedly claims to be committed to strengthening public healthcare, failed to set up a government medical college itself on land and buildings already owned by the state and developed with public money.
“Instead of utilising an already constructed, publicly funded college campus to create a full fledged government medical college for Punjab’s youth, the AAP government has chosen to lease it out to a private society at concessional rates. This decision reflects misplaced priorities and raises serious questions about transparency and public interest,” Khaira said.
Mr. Khaira asserted that this decision amounts to an open admission of the AAP government’s failure to fulfil its much publicised promise of establishing 16 new medical colleges in Punjab. He said that had the government been serious about its commitment, the existing infrastructure at Lehragaga should have been converted into a government medical college. By handing it over to a private society, the AAP government has effectively conceded that it lacks both the intent and the capacity to deliver on its own promises.
He added that leasing out valuable public assets instead of strengthening the public health system undermines the goal of affordable and accessible medical education and healthcare, particularly in underserved regions such as Sangrur district.
Mr. Khaira demanded that the government immediately disclose:
• the lease deed, memorandum of understanding and all related cabinet approvals;
• the criteria adopted for selecting the private society;
• the financial implications and long-term impact of this decision on public interest.
“The people of Punjab deserve clear answers as to why their land, their buildings and their resources are being diverted to private hands instead of being used to build strong public institutions,” Mr. Khaira concluded.