Ajnala: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday demanded a central agency probe into illegal sand mining in Punjab, alleging that proceeds from the trade were being funneled to the in-office Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).Addressing a Punjab Bachao rally in Ajnala, Badal alleged that illegal mining was being operated as a mafia network, with AAP leaders collecting funds for the party. Citing ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) actions regarding change of land use and land acquisition concessions in the state, he urged a similar probe into the mining sector to trace the money trail.Badal announced that if voted to power in the 2027 assembly elections, his party would fill three lakh vacant govt posts exclusively with native Punjabis by repealing the law that permits recruitment of outsiders. He also promised to reduce the old-age pension eligibility age to 60 years for men and 55 for women.Targeting CM Bhagwant Mann, Badal accused the state govt of supporting Waris Punjab De to divide Panthic votes, alleging that a senior mandi board official was being used to finance the outfit.The SAD chief criticised AAP’s welfare record, claiming that previous Akali-era schemes—including free bicycles, sports kits, gyms, RO plants, suvidha and sanjh kendras—had been diluted or discontinued.He further outlined poll promises including a skill university with district centres, interest-free loans up to ₹10 lakh for youth, a ₹1 lakh shagun grant, ₹3,100 monthly old-age pension, 50 kg wheat at ₹4 per kg, and five-marla plots for houseless families.
