Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab revealing his vision for Punjab today said that to make Punjab No.1 State in the country was the top priority of SAD-BJP Government and this task would be accomplished in next three years. Paying floral tributes to our great martyrs’ and freedom fighters in his address at jam-packed multipurpose sports stadium here after unfurling National Flag to mark the 65th Republic Day anniversary, Mr. Badal said that the blueprint of holistic and unprecedented development has been finalized, which would be executed in next three years with the availability of 24X7 potable water supply, sewerage system, best road and air connectivity, delivery of welfare schemes benefits to beneficiaries besides having exemplary economic growth while Punjab has already enlisted as Power Surplus State. “Delivery of basic amenities, transparent administration, implementing welfare schemes in true spirit and maintaining communal harmony is the real tribute to our great martyrs’ and freedom fighters, which will fulfill the dreams envisioned by them and the very focus of SAD-BJP government is the same” he added.Reiterating his commitment to make Punjab as most developed state in the country, Mr. Badal said Punjab government would provide water supply and sewerage system in 150 cities and towns at the cost of Rs. 5000 crore. He said in many areas the work has been started and within next three years, complete state would have a world class system of water supply and sewerage. He said there would be no single lane road in the state and the whole state would be connected with 4/6 lane network as Rs. 13000 crore has been set aside for this project. He informed that besides these Punjab would have 7 expressways and airports at the distance of every 80 kilometer at Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bathinda.
He said work on Bathinda-Chandigarh 4 lane has been initiated and in next two years this project would be accomplished.Seeking cooperation from Punjabis to build new prosperous Punjab, Mr. Badal exhorted the citizen to join hands with the SAD-BJP government in the ongoing fastest pace of development and administrative reforms. He said that with the active cooperation of Punjab residents, our state can further touch new heights of prosperity, development and overall growth. He said it was very unfortunate that even after nearly 7 decades of independence the dreams of our martyrs have still not fulfilled but SAD-BJP government was committed to fulfill the same and Punjab was on the verge of accomplishing this mission. The Deputy CM strongly asserted that SAD-BJP government would continue with its crusade against drugs and no one, indulged in drug trade, will be spared. He said that till the last week of December the Punjab Police has put more than 23000 persons involved in drug trafficking behind bars and this battle would remain continue to make Punjab a drug free state. He said they have taken remarkable people-friendly steps by implementing RTS, introducing Fard Kendra, Saanjh Kendra etc. He said that more than 200 citizen-centric services have been brought under the RTS Act and they have delivered these services to more more than 1 crore applicants with a 98 percent success rate.
He said that it was also matter of immense pride that investors have also shown their confidence in the State by deciding to invest Rs 65,000 crore in the State at the recently held Punjab Investment Summit. He said the VAT collection of the state was also appreciable, which has increased from Rs. 6037 crore in 2007 to 20068 in 2013. The VAT & CST collection from April 2007 to March 2012 was Rs. 10825 crore with a record 47 percent increase while Debt to GSDP ratio decreased to 31.5 percent from 43 percent in 2012.Announcing that Punjab would have World Class Sports School in each district, Mr. Badal sadi that the SAD - BJP government has encouraged sports with 10 world class multipurpose sports stadiums and hostels coming up at a cost of Rs. 200 crore, Punjab has also distributed more than 5000 multi gyms and 9000 sports kits at the cost of Rs. 22.03 crore.Mr. Badal also informed that as Punjab has the highest number of SC population Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, who started the first ever Atta-Dal scheme, have decided to provide wheat @ Rs. 1 per kg to more than 30 lakh beneficiaries. Concluding his speech Mr. Badal exhorted Punjabis in general and the youth in particular to follow the path shown by our martyrs and make Punjab the No.1 state on all fronts in the country.Meanwhile Deputy CM also announced Rs. 2 lakh for Mahant Gurbanta Dass School for deaf and dumb besides announcing holiday in schools of Bathinda district on January 27. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion Mr. Gurpreet Singh Maluka, Chairman Zila Parishad, Mr. Harjinder Sidhu, Assistant Media Advisor to Deputy CM, Mr. Kamal Kishor Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, IG Mr. Paramraj Singh Umranangal, Mr. Jitender Jain, IG Intelligence, SSP Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and Mr. Dyal Sodhi, BJP Leader.