Winding up the four-day pre-budget deliberations with Congress MLAs,Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced a development grant of Rs. 202.35 crore.After marathon discussions with the MLAs of eight districts of Malwa-II - Bathinda, Faridkot, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Moga, Mansa, Sangrur and Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Chief Minister asked them to submit detailed proposals of development works to be executed under Smart Village Campaign (SVP) and Urban Environment Improvement Plan (UEIP) to their concerned Deputy Commissioner by January 31 so as to ensure timely completion of development projects.The Chief Minister said each MLA of the eight districts will be given a fund of Rs. 5 crore for rural areas in two installments, of which the first would be given at the start of development work and the remaining after completion, subject to the condition of submission of utilization certificate. Another Rs. 300 crore would be spent on the development works to be undertaken in the urban areas under UEIP.Captain Amarinder Singh emphasized on the need to prepare Block Development Plan so as to ensure holistic development of the state in a result oriented and time bound manner. He said that these plans would help the MLAs get their development works approved and ensure utilization of funds in a systematic manner.Captain Amarinder Singh also informed the legislators that the entire backlog of social security pensions stands cleared till January 2019 and a sum of Rs. 155 Crores on this count was being released for 19.5 Lac pensioners every month.He also asked the his Chief Principal Secretary to review the status of ongoing Urban development works with the Principal Secretary Local Government and Principal Secretary Finance to ensure their early completion.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister, as part of the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, also released a table calendar depicting the historical gurdwaras located in the different parts of the country and abroad, associated with the life and times of the founder of Sikhism.Taking part in the deliberations, Cabinet Minister Vijayinder Singla suggested to constitute a CSR Board, where all funds contributed by Industry could be spent to strengthen the infrastructure across the state in a meaningful manner. He also urged the Chief Minister to sanction a medical college for the area.MLA Dhuri Dalvir Singh Goldy Khangura urged the Chief Minister for immediate construction of ROB to ensure proper connectivity of Dhuri. He also demanded provision for upgradation of school infrastructure and construction of a sports stadium in his constituency, besides suggesting exploring the viability of an agreement with MNCs for procuring potatoes from local farmers.MLA Amargarh Surjit Singh Dhiman requested for a senior secondary school in his constituency, besides urging for construction of Sub Divisional office in his constituency. He also requested for more funds for upgradation of Dirba Anaaj Mandi.MLA Balluana Nathu Ram thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning funds for electrification works in his Constituency. He also requested for Sub Tehsil status for Balluana, besides seeking a girls college in Balluana.MLA Fazilka Davinder Singh Ghubhaya requested for a vocational Government College, besides more funds for cleaning of canals.
He also sought additional funds for strengthening widening of roads. MLA Ferozepur Rural requested for an ITI for Mamdot, besides seeking more funds for providing fire brigade services in his constituency.MLA Ferozepur Urban Parminder Singh Pinky expressed his gratitude towards the Chief Minister for sanctioning 25 Acres of land for PGI Satellite Centre. He also sought adequate funds for repair of roads in his constituency.MLA Faridkot Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon urged the Chief Minister for upgradation of facilities at Faridkot Medical College, in addition to bringing the historic city under the Heritage Tourist Circuit.MLA Sri Muktsar Sahib Raja Warring requested for more funds for upgradation of medical care facilities in his constituency.Prominent amongst others who were present during the meeting were Cabinet Ministers Navjot Singh Sidhu, Manpreet Singh Badal, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Vijayinder Singla and Gurpreet Singh Kangar.Senior Advisor to CM Lt. General (Retd.) TS Shergill, Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Chief Principal Secretary to CM Suresh Kumar, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary to CM Tejveer Singh, ACS Excise and Taxation MP Singh, ACS Health Satish Chandra, Principal Secretary Finance Anirudh Tewari, Principal Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Roshan Sunkaria, Principal Secretary Rural Development and Panchayats Anurag Verma also attended the meeting.