Terming that seat sharing arrangement was hardly any issue for the SAD-BJP alliance, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that both the alliance partners would soon finalize it for the upcoming polls for Delhi assembly.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Malwa College here today, the Chief Minister said that the alliance between both the partners was not only confined to seat and power sharing but it was meant for ensuring overall development of the country on one hand and promotion of brotherhood and communal harmony on the other. He said that the SAD-BJP alliance was in the interest of the nation and should not be merely construed as an arrangement of sharing power. Mr. Badal said that the top brass of both the parties would soon deliberate upon this issue and finalize the seat sharing arrangement.
Refuting the claims of Himachal Pradesh government regarding supply of drugs from Punjab, the Chief Minister said that not even a single gram of drug was produced in the state, so there was hardly any possibility of its transportation to other states. However, Mr. Badal said that in case the government of Himachal Pradesh has any suspicion regarding it both the states could form joint patrolling agencies to curb this menace. On the announcement of Himachal Pradesh government to install scanners on its border along with Punjab, he said that they were free to take any such step.The Chief Minister further said that the need of the hour was to cut the supply line of drugs being smuggled from across the border so that this menace could be completely eradicated from the state.
Describing BSF personnel as brave sons of country protecting our borders, Mr. Badal said that they must keep a strict vigil to check inflow of drugs from across the border. He reiterated that the protest of SAD was never against any central agency but the sole aim of it was to enhance security at borders.Expressing grave concern over menace of unemployment in the state, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab government was fully sensitized towards this problem and the only solution to tackle it was to impart skill training in different fields to enable them to earn their livelihood. He said that the state government aims to impart skill training to youth under various skill development programs in order to cater the needs of the local industry.Badal said that it was a matter of great pride for Punjabis that Punjab has became the first ever state to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in the Healthcare sector adding that this MoU with NSDC’s arm Healthcare Sector Skill Council would open new vistas of employability for the Punjabi youth.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the state government has already filed an application in the Supreme Court for seeking permission to consider and decide applications of the life convicts seeking remissions and pre mature release.
Earlier addressing the students and faculty members of the college, the Chief Minister slammed the opposition for tarnishing the image of Punjab by branding its hard working and resilient sons as drug addicts. He bemoaned that just for the sake of their vested political interests these political leaders were describing the youth of state as drug addicts and the state government as bankrupt. Mr. Badal said that due to the concerted efforts of the alliance government Punjab would be soon a drug Free State.The Chief Minister further said that Punjab has been blessed with bounty of talented and hard working youth, who have rendered valuable services towards the country. He said that need of hour was to provide opportunities to these youth so that their unbounded energy could be channelized in a constructive manner for which all out efforts were being made by the state government.Earlier President of College Management Committee Mr. Balbir Singh Rajjewal welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries to the college.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Chairman of Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Harish Rai Dhanda, SGPC Member Jathedar Sarbhans Singh Maanki, former Chairman of Municipal Council Samrala Giani Mohinder Singh, his Special Principal Secretary Dr S Karunaraju and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rajat Aggarwal.