Batting for more powers to the states for progress of the country and prosperity of its people, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the genuine Federal structure was the ‘panacea of all
the ills’ confronted by the country.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the first day of
Sangat Darshan in Attari assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister reiterated that the states needs to be given more powers for ensuring comprehensive development of the country besides checking the growing trend of regional imbalance. He said that as a matter of fact only the state governments were accountable to the people for every work but unfortunately all the powers regarding the formulation and execution of the policies was vested by the Union government, which was hampering the overall development of the country. Mr. Badal said that in such a scenario the only ray of hope for the country and its people was the implementation of genuine federal structure in the country, as enshrined in our constitution.
When asked to comment on the issue of blacklist of Indian Nationals, many of whom were Punjabis, maintained by the Government of India (GoI), the Chief Minister said that he has already urged the Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi to direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to evolve a mechanism for regular review of all such cases from time to time. He said that the GoI has already been requested to remove the names of persons from list against whom there were no cases or legal proceedings pending against them.Badal said that if needed he would personally pursue this matter again with the Prime Minister in coming days.The Chief Minister said that he would also take over the issue of Sikh prisoners languishing in the jails of other states even after the completion of their sentence, with the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi.
Badal said that he had been repeatedly pursuing this matter with the Union government from time to time and once again he would seek the intervention of the GoI on this matter.On another query, the Chief Minister said that after assuming the power the BJP led NDA Government at centre was in the process of framing the policies for development of the states, after which Punjab would get its due share in the central grants. He expressed hope that the Modi Government at the Centre would play a vanguard role in ushering in an era of unprecedented development in the state.
Badal categorically said that Punjab would be immensely benefitted from the NDA government at the centre.
Replying to another question regarding the Punjabis trapped in the strife torn Iraq, the Chief Minister said that he had raised this issue with the Ministry of External Affairs and even with the Special envoy of India in
Iraq, to ensure the safe and prompt release of these sons of the soil. He said that the GoI was making all out efforts for the safety of Punjabis in Iraq adding that he was hopeful that the efforts of the Union and state
government would fructify. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the distressed families of the Punjabi youths, Mr. Badal said that the state government was duty bound to help them in this hour of crisis.
The Chief Minister further said that the sole motive of Shiromani Akali Dal’s tie up with Indian National Lok Dal in ensuing Haryana assembly polls was to defeat the Congress party.
He said that this would not have any bearing on age old ties of SAD-BJP as both the alliance partners were
committed for routing the Congress party out of power from Haryana. Mr.Badal said that the BJP leadership was well aware of the fact that the SAD-BJP alliance was firm across the country but Haryana was an exceptionto it. Earlier addressing the gathering at villages Pandori Wadaich, Jahangir,Jethuwal, Fathegarh Shukarchak, Manawaal Kalaan and others, the Chief Minister said that it was on record that besides giving a major fillip tothe overall development of the state, the Sangat Darshan programs has also been instrumental in mitigating the woes of common people. He reiterated that the concept of Sangat Darshan was an integral part of state’s
governance as it virtually brought the government at the doorsteps of people thereby bridging the communication gap between the masses and the administration, which normally hindered the process of progress. Mr. Badalfurther said that besides acting as a catalyst for redressing the grievances of people, the Sangat Darshan programs were also helpful for the state government to adjudge the working of officers of the variousdepartments.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, SGPC Members Jathedar Gurinder Pal Singh Lally and Jathedar Magwinder Singh, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat.