Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today categorically declared that both internal as well as external security of the Country was not safe in the hands of Congress led UPA government at the Centre.Addressing the media persons on the sidelines of a state level function organised on the auspicious occasion of parkash pas of pine architect of the whole universe Lord Vishwakarma here at Ramgarhia Girls college, Badal said that due to the faulty policies of the Union Government the states like Punjab were facing quantum of social and economic problems today. He said that the UPA had always projected itself as a favourable government for a common man (Aam Aadmi) but the recent exorbitant hike in fuel prices and other commodities at regular intervals just to benefit some big petroleum companies and industrial houses had exposed UPA as an anti people government. Badal also blamed the Union Government for centralising power, which was completely against the true spirit of federalism advocated in our constitution. The state governments were in direct contact with the masses and were being held accountable for the welfare of the general public so more power must be granted to the states, added Badal. He further blamed that the callous attitude of UPA government for not taking any concrete step to safeguard the interests of the youth of the country through generating much needed employment potential, Badal said that only the tall claims of the Centre could not resolve the issue of unemployment at the ground level. Reiterating the firm commitment of SAD-BJP government for generating employment potential at local industrial level, Badal said that in a bid to make our unemployed youth employable in a dignified manner besides enabling them to be consumed in the local industries their government had prepared a comprehensive plan to provide skill training to the Punjabi youth in different disciplines, for this purpose the government had signed a MoU with a German Government company to set up five Main Skilled Development Centers at Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda and Amritsar with a chain of numerous sub- centres, where about one lac youth would be trained every year in consolation with the local Industries. Paying rich tributes to the Lord Vishwakarma the Chief Minister said that Lord Vishwakarma ji was the founder of the Craft, Architecture and Engineering on the earth. Whatever industrial and infrastructure growth today we observe around, was happening only with the blessings and mechanical skills created by Lord Vishwakarma that had facilitated mankind to grow faster with technological day-by-day advisements. To pay real tribute to Lord Vishwakarama Badal appealed the people, especially the Punjabi youth to improve their professional skills following the message of Lord Vishwakarma to enhance their abilities for capturing new jobs avenues created with the induction of modern technology and efforts of the state government.He said that it was the need of hour to strengthen our education system and create employment avenues for our youth to develop our nation. He further added that it was a matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab government with its concerted efforts had achieved number one position in education from the earlier number 14th position. He said that the SAD-BJP government had spent Rs. 3,168 crore in upgrading and creating new infrastructure in education sector, besides recruiting 71,025 teachers, establishing nine new Universities, 17 new Degree colleges, IIT Ropar and seven high-Tech polytechnic colleges etc. to impart quality education with special focus to benefit rural youth more. Likewise, for providing skill development training to the youth state government had already created a net work of polytechnic colleges and established number of skill training institute in collaboration with renowned industrial houses in the state. He also assured that with the efforts of their government Punjab would become Power surplus state with in next one-and-a-half year.
Later, the Chief Minister also honoured the twelve eminent Industrialists from Ludhiana including Onkar Singh Pahawa Chairman Avon Cycles, K K Seth of Neelam Cycles, Gurmit Singh President United Cycles Parts and Manufacturar, Charanjit Singh of Vihawkarama Cycles, Ranjot Singh President Ramgarhia Educational Council, Inderjit Singh Sohal President Ply Board Association Punjab, Bhupinder Singh Sohal of Asian Crane, Pankaj Munjal of Hero Cycles, Sukhdyal Singh Basant of Rattan Hammers, Parveen Chaudhary of Tarun Printer, Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria Mayor MC Ludhiana and Madal Singh President Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust.Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Chief Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal said that the wrong policies of the centres on the name of reforms had dragged the industrial growth in Punjab, but the experiences guidance of Parkash Singh Badal coupled with visionary approach of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had once again created an atmosphere to boost the industrial sector in the state. Pointing out the issue of sand mines allotments, he said that this issue was being delayed by the Centre despite the orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court.On this auspicious occasion Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, former Minister Hira Singh Gabria, PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MLA Prem Mittal, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and Ludhiana BJP President Parveen Bansal felicitated the people and paid their rich tributes of Baba Vishawkarama Ji.Prominent amongst those who attended the function included Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Manpreet Singh Ayali ( both MLAs) Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari, Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh and many others SAD, BJP party leaders and workers.