Modi assures to extend fiscal assistance to Punjab-Sukhbir Badal
Says PM will convene meeting of concerned secretaries soon to resolve Punjab’s pending issues
5 Dariya News
Chandigarh 23-Sep-2014
Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured to initiate an exercise to extend fiscal assistance to Punjab besides considering all the demands put forth by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during his recent meeting with the PM yesterday at New Delhi.Stating this here Sukhbir Singh Badal while interacting with media persons after participating in the cabinet meeting, said the Prime Minister have them a patient hearing and assured to resolve the pending issues of the State to maintain the pace of development and growth in Punjab.Answering a query regarding financial package, Mr. Badal said the State had demanded outstanding debt waiver and refund of Rs. 2694 crore paid as an interest on special term loan amounting to Rs. 5800 crore by the state for fighting militancy. "We ave also raised the issue of incentives to neighbouring States which has seriously affected the industrial climate in Punjab as various industries have migrated to those States due to special packages. We have demanded the same concessions be extended to us till 2017".
He said the chief minister had also briefed Mr Modi that Punjab had faced discrimination due to the wrong policies of the he earlier UPA government. He said the prime minister had assured to resolve pending issues pertaining to Punjab by initiating discussions with the concerned Secretaries of various departments. He said Punjab has also demanded an amount of Rs. 5000 crore as non plan grant before submission of report by 14th Finance Commission.He said that the Stare had also demanded a Rs. 2330 crore package from Mr. Narendra Modi for farmers of state on account of deficit rains. He further added that Punjab has also raised issue to fix the MSP as per Swaminathan formula and procure maize and basmati on the pattern of wheat and paddy at MSP. When asked about the promises made by SAD in its election manifesto, Mr. Badal said they were working day and night to fulfill all the commitments made with the people of Punjab. He said that SAD-BJP Government was reiterated to fulfill all promises before 2016. He said the work has already begun on various promises for which separate deadlines have also been fixed.
On the issue of distributing laptops to school students, Mr. Badal said that the matter pertains to education department and it would work out procedure to finalise the scheme. He added that 30 percent work for connecting the state with internet wi-fi connectivity has been finished, while the remaining areas would also be covered under 100 percent internet connectivity within a year. “After 100 percent wi-fi connectivity in the state, educational institutes would be equipped with computers” He added.