Chandigarh, June 20 -- Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) patron Sampat Singh on Friday dismissed the Haryana government's austerity and resource-management directives as "mere posturing".

The former Haryana finance minister, while criticising the ruling BJP for "hypocritically preaching cost-cutting and energy conservation", said the government is simultaneously holding extravagant mega-events and rallies, accusing it of "double standards".

"On one hand, the government advises departments to cut costs, save electricity, and discourages others from holding rallies and public meetings; on the other, it promotes unnecessary and extravagant spending itself and holds mega events," Singh said while addressing a press conference here.

On June 10...