Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government would make all out efforts to develop Malerkotla as a ‘hub of small scale industry’ in the state. Addressing the gathering at the local Eid Gah after joining in the prayer on the festival of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid), the Chief Minister said that there was vast scope of development of the small scale industry in Malerkotla for which the state government was making concerted efforts. He said that industrialization was the need of the hour to develop this historic city for which the support and co-operation of people was also required. Badal asked the officers and the political leaders of the area present on the occasion to identify the land in and around the city for setting up small scale industry so that a required fillip could be given to the all-round development of the city. “The state government would give all possible help for making this city a centre of the small scale industry” he added. The Chief Minister said that it was a matter of pride for the state that due to excellent infrastructure network coupled with industrial peace and skilled labour Punjab has today emerged as one of the most preferred investment destination in the country. Likewise Badal said that infra structural development of Punjab for which the state had been ranked No.1 along with peace, communal harmony and amity were also the most favoring factors for massive industrialization in the state adding that the time has come when Malerkotla must take benefit from the process of industrialization by becoming a part of it. Congratulating the Muslim brethren on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid), Badal further said that the government was committed for ensuring the all-round development of Malerkotla by providing all the basic civic amenities to its residents. Badal said that this historic city has always preserved the ethos of brotherhood and peace in the world due to which the state government was duty bound to develop it on priority. He said that a comprehensive plan for the unprecedented development of Malerkotla was on cards which would pave way for developing the city as a ‘Model city’ of the state.Recalling the age old ties between the Muslim and Sikh Communities, the Chief Minister said that both the communities shared a rich bond of traditions amongst themselves adding that one of the common features between both of them was that they highly revered their martyrs who had laid down life for the sake of religion. Badal said that it was a matter of pride for all of them that the Sikh Gurus had requested a Muslim Saint Sain Mian Mir to lay down the foundation stone of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the most revered place of Sikhs.Reiterating the commitment of the state government towards promoting brotherhood and amity in the state, the Chief Minister said that the biggest achievement of their government was that it had ensured communal harmony and peace in the state irrespective of the fact that major part of the country was inflicted with the severe problem of communal tension. Badal said that despite of being a border state their government has assured that no untoward incident takes place in the state adding that thrust has been laid towards maintaining proper law and order situation in the state. Addressing the gathering Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa also congratulated the people on the occasion of this pious festival. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Farzana Alam and Babu Parkash Chand Garg, MLA Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister KJS Cheema and former Director General of Police (DGP) and Chairman Punjab Waqf Board Izhar Alam, former Minister.