Advocating the amicable solution of the issues like Article 370, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Union government must take all the political parties of the country in confidence before taking any action on such issues.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the first day of his Sangat Darshan program here today, the Chief Minister said that such decisions should not be taken in haste. He expressed hope that an experienced and visionary leader like Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi would take a call on such issues only after due consultation with the entire political leadership of the country.
Lauding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said that the first decision taken by . Modi regarding the constitution of SIT on Black Money stashed in foreign banks has proved that the PM was serious in solving the key issues plaguing the country. He expressed hope that under the stewardship of Mr. Modi the country would scale new heights both nationally and internationally.
Seeking the whole hearted support and cooperation of the Union government in tackling the Drug menace in the state, the Chief Minister said that it was the need of the hour to check the inflow of drugs from across the border. He said that as the security agencies like Border Security Force (BSF), which man the border, were under the direct control of the Centre government, so the state government would soon urge the Union government to take immediate steps for enhancing the vigil on borders to check the supply of drugs. Mr. Badal said that it was the need of the hour that the state and the Union government must join hands to solve this grave problem confronting the nation.
Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to eliminate drug menace from Punjab, the Chief Minister said that they have recently constituted a Special Cell headed by an Inspector General (IG) rank officer to take necessary action against the drug peddlers. He said that the cell would also probe into the alleged nexus of the political leaders and officers/ officials involved in this heinous crime. Mr. Badal categorically said that the single point agenda of constituting this special cell was to make Punjab a drug Free State adding that every ‘big or small fish’ involved in this nexus would be put behind the bars.
The Chief Minister also said that once the Union government settles down for the work, the Punjab government would take up the issue of pending development projects with it. He said that due to the apathy of the previous centre government a large number of projects in the state were hanging in fire. However Mr. Badal said that with the change of guard at Centre the state government would make every effort to expedite the process of completing all the projects to further put Punjab on high growth trajectory.Earlier addressing the gathering during the Sangat Darshan program in Talwandi Sabo city, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed for ensuring the overall development of this holy city. He said that during its tenure the SAD-BJP government has spent more than Rs 90 crores for the development of this city adding that Talwandi Sabo would soon get 100% water supply in all the wards.Expressing gratitude to the voters for reposing their faith in the pro-people and development oriented policies of SAD-BJP alliance time and again, the Chief Minister said that with the alleviation of Mrs. Harsimat Kaur Badal as Cabinet Minister in Modi Government, state’s overall development would get a major boost.
Terming the Sangat Darshan program as a fruitful exercise, the Chief Minister said that this was his flagship program which brought the government virtually at the doorsteps of the people. He said that the people were highly benefitted from this move as they were able to get their pending issues resolved immediately. Mr. Badal further said that the sole aim of this entire exercise was to give boost to the ongoing development in the state.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. NK Sharma, former MLA Mr. Jeet Mohinder Sidhu, senior Akali leader Mr. Amarjeet Singh Sidhu (IAS Retd.), his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. KK Yadav.