Refuting the allegations leveled by the state Congress leadership regarding the persion of the Central grants by the state government to fund its development projects and welfare schemes, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today counter attacked the Congress led UPA government at Centre for misutilizing the funds collected from the states, by way of taxes, to appease the countrymen just to woo them for electoral gains.Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that by its policy of centralization the Union government was usurping the rights of the states. Citing an example, he said that the centre was utilizing the majority of funds collected from the states adding that more than 67% of the revenue collected from the states was used by the Union government whereas the remaining amount was disbursed to the states. Mr. Badal said that due to the Union government’s policy of excessive centralization of the powers, complete chaos was prevailing in the country.
The Chief Minister said that despite of the fact that the state Congress leadership was well aware of every fact they had unleashed a malicious propaganda against the state government regarding the central grants. He said that the worst thing was that the Congress leaders want to get the credit of even those funds released by the centre. Holding the policy of excessive centralization responsible for the financial mess in the states, Mr. Badal said that this has resulted in the lopsided development of the entire country. When asked to comment regarding the record of his Sangat Darshan programmes, the Chief Minister said that the statements issued by the Congress leaders regarding the funds of Sangat Darshan were baseless and irrational. He said that every single penny distributed during the Sangat Darshan program was on record with the Deputy Commissioners in the districts. Mr. Badal said that the Congress leaders were envious of this flagship people-government interactive program aimed at the well being of the people due to which the insensitive Congressmen were opposing the Sangat Darshan program tooth and nail. “The state government was accountable for every single penny sanctioned during Sangat Darshan to ensure the overall development of state and welfare of its people” he added.
On a query regarding the investigation of the drug racket by any Central agency, the Chief Minister said that the state government was conducting the enquiry in a transparent manner adding that all those persons whose name have figured during the investigation have been booked so that the Police could get to the bottom of the case.Terming the mudslinging in politics as unfortunate, the Chief Minister said that the political leaders must resort to constructive criticism rather than leveling personal allegations on each other. Mr. Badal said that in his entire political career he had remained a votary of morality in politics and had respected every politician. In a function here today more than 100 Congress families joined the Shiromani Akali Dal. Welcoming them in party fold the Chief Minister said that it would further strengthen the party. The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Mr. Harpreet Singh, SGPC Member Mr. Dyal Singh Kolianwali, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Paramjeet Singh.