Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today cautioned the people that they should not expect any work of public welfare from the state Congress leaders having a ‘monarchial outlook’.Addressing the gathering during Sangat Darshan program in village Kukkadan, Saila Khurd, Sardulapur and other villages, the Chief Minister said that the Congress leaders believed in enjoying the fruits of power and working rarely for public welfare. He said that the Congress leaders love the inaccessible tag because they don’t bother for ensuring the well being of people adding that during the rule of Congress party the country has confronted several social maladies like illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and others. On the contrary, Mr. Badal said that whenever the SAD-BJP alliance has been given mandate by people he had started the Sangat Darshan program to redress the grievances of people.The Chief Minister asked the people if they had seen any head of Congress government in their region during the Congress rule. He said that SAD-BJP alliance government was the only one in the country to hold Sangat Darshans for resolving the pending issues of the people. However, Mr. Badal said that now in the false hope of getting Chief Ministerial chair the state Congress leaders were imitating him by holding darbars in the state but it was a futile attempt as no welfare of people could be ensured in it.
The Chief Minister further said that his life was an open book and everyone was well aware of the fact that throughout his life he had relentlessly struggled for safeguarding the interests of state and its people. Mr. Badal said that as far as the issue of SYL canal was concerned the entire nation was aware of the fact that Shiromani Akali Dal has been opposed to this plan of robbing the waters of state, conceived and executed by Congress, from day one. He reminded the Congress leaders that when their leaders including incumbent state Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh was welcoming the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi to lay foundation of this canal, thousands of Akalis had courted arrest. “It is unfortunate that now the Congress leaders are shedding crocodile tears to mislead the people on this issue” added Mr. Badal.Later on interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister, while describing water as the lifeline of state, said that any attempt to divest the state of its legitimate share of rivers waters could not be tolerated at any cost. Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was committed for not sharing even a single drop of water with anybody adding that construction of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal would never be allowed. He said that this was not a political issue but an emotive issue for the entire state. Mr. Badal said that even this was not an issue concerning the farming community alone but the fate of all the sections of society was dependent on it.The Chief Minister categorically said that the SAD-BJP alliance was fully unanimous on this issue to safeguard the interests of state. He said that the state assembly has already passed resolution against the construction of canal.
On another query, the Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP alliance was everlasting and firm. He said that the alliance was not political but was based on mutual support and cooperation of both the parties. Mr. Badal said that the BJP was part and parcel of every decision taken by the state government.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that in order to ensure regular water supply to Kandi region the work on construction of Kandi canal would be completed within a fortnight. Mr. Badal said that this canal would be immensely benefitted for the irrigation needs of the region. Likewise, he said that keeping in view shortage of water the state government was laying thrust on promoting sprinkle and drip irrigation in the region. Mr. Badal further said that in order to save the crop of farmers of region from wild animals the state government was giving 90% subsidy to farmers having 2.5 acres of land for installing fence and 70% subsidy to farmers having more than 2.5 acres of land. The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Jathedar Surinder Singh Bhulewalrathan, his Joint Special Principal Secretary Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner Mrs. Anandita Mitra and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. KS Chahal.