Congress MP Selja seeks impartial probe into alleged ₹17.03 crore Ambala housing renovation scam, says corruption has become the hallmark of the BJP government

Chandigarh | Pen of Democracy News Desk

Congress MP from Sirsa, former Union Minister, Congress General Secretary and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Kumari Selja launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Haryana Government over the alleged ₹17.03 crore scam in the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Housing Renovation Scheme in Ambala, accusing the ruling dispensation of allowing corruption to flourish even in welfare schemes meant for the poor and underprivileged.

Describing the alleged irregularities as “deeply disturbing,” Selja said the BJP government has failed to safeguard schemes designed to improve the lives of economically weaker sections, Dalits and other disadvantaged communities. Instead of ensuring transparency and accountability, she alleged, the government has allowed corruption to infiltrate programmes intended for public welfare.

“The BJP government has become synonymous with corruption. It continues to make lofty claims about development and good governance, but the reality on the ground is entirely different. Even welfare schemes for the poor are allegedly being exploited through a nexus of middlemen and a corrupt administrative system,” she said.

Selja alleged that several flagship welfare programmes launched by previous Congress governments had merely been renamed by the BJP in an attempt to claim political credit, while their effective implementation had been neglected.

She said the Ambala case highlights serious concerns over governance, as funds meant to provide housing assistance to poor families were allegedly misused. “When financial assistance meant for the poorest sections of society is also vulnerable to corruption, it reflects a complete breakdown of accountability within the system,” she remarked.

Taking a broader swipe at the BJP’s governance model, Selja referred to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), claiming that the BJP replaced it with the Smart Cities Mission after changing its name and branding. Despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, she said, many cities continue to struggle with poor civic infrastructure.

“Citizens are still dealing with traffic congestion, waterlogging, damaged roads, overflowing drains and inadequate sanitation. The promise of developing 100 smart cities remains largely unfulfilled, and people are now questioning where the promised transformation has gone,” she said.

The Congress leader further alleged that almost every major department of the Haryana Government has faced accusations of corruption during the BJP’s tenure. According to her, reports of irregularities have surfaced in schemes related to housing, farmers, youth, government employees and welfare programmes for ordinary citizens.

“If alleged scams are emerging even in schemes created for the welfare of Dalits and economically weaker families, it raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to social justice and good governance,” she added.

Demanding immediate action, Selja called for a fair, transparent and time-bound investigation into the alleged Ambala housing renovation scam. She urged the government to take strict legal action against any officials, employees, agents or influential individuals found guilty after the investigation.

She also demanded that all affected beneficiaries be provided justice without delay and asserted that the Congress would continue to raise issues concerning the rights of the poor and expose every instance of alleged corruption.

“The Congress Party has always stood with the people and will continue to fight for transparency, accountability and the protection of public welfare schemes. We will not allow the interests of poor beneficiaries to be compromised,” Selja said.

POD/DESK