Bikram Singh Majithia, Information and Public Relations Minister Punjab today came down heavily on Pradesh Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa for making frivolous and baseless statements about flood measures in the border belt when the same had been appreciated by the party's Majha zone head O P Soni. In a statement issued here today, Mr. Majithia said after having remained in political oblivion for such a long time, Bajwa seemed to be desperate for media attention and was making statements about flood works without checking up with his colleagues who had appreciated the work done by the SAD- BJP government in this regard. "Mr Soni visited the flood affected areas recently, evaluated the situation and expressed his satisfaction over the flood control measures being taken by the Punjab government".
Majithia said in his eagerness to get himself photographed at various spots, the PCC chief seemed to have forgotten that his actions were against the interests of the border farmers whom he represented in parliament. "Instead of running around across the state and creating panic, Bajwa should approach Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and get a package announced for the beleaguered farmers immediately.”If he fails in providing immediate relief to the farmers from the centre it will prove that he was shedding only crocodile tears to deceive them", he added.
Recalling the liberal gesture shown to the farmers of border areas by the NDA government, the Minister said a compensation of Rs. 2500 per acre was being given for their lands situated beyond the barbed wire fence. He said now the State government had formulated a plan under Border Area Development Scheme under which Rs. 6 crore would be disbursed as compensation to farmers having land beyond the fence in six districts of Ferozepur, Fazilka, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur at the rate of Rs. 3000 per acre during the year 2012-13. He said in stark contrast the Congress and the UPA government continued to discriminate against border farmers who had stood up to external aggression many times and had defended the country's borders bravely.Meanwhile Mr. Majithia said the district administration especially in the border areas was fully geared up to handle any eventuality and adequate flood control measures were being taken by the government. " As many as 13 locations have been identified, where relief camps will be set up to tackle any emergency as well as provide succor to the farmers", he added.