Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today stumped Congress Legislature Party leader Charnjit Singh Channi who was at a loss to explain the achievements of the previous Congress led Captain Amarinder Singh government and even admitted that the patch work done on roads was the single biggest achievement of Captain Amrinder Singh as Chief Minister of Punjab.During a discussion on budget in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today, when Deputy CM asked the opposition leader to explain the single biggest achievement during Captain regime, the CLP leader was first at a loss of words and later said Capt Amarinder Singh had conducted patch work on all roads during his tenure as CM. On second query of Mr. Badal to name any welfare scheme launched by the then congress CM, Channi remained failed to name any scheme.
When Deputy CM asked third query on setting up any big industry in the state by Captain Amarinder Singh, the CLP leader again failed to come back with single count in this regard. The Deputy Chief Minister said Channi had by failing to give any answer himself admitted that Captain Amarinder Singh had no achievement to his name during his tenure as CM.Counting the achievements of SAD-BJP government, Deputy Chief Minister said the amount of development works carried out during previous nine years by Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal led government remained unmatched and unparalled and the congress could not even dream of equalising them. He further disclosed that the present SAD-BJP government made Punjab a power surplus state by commissioning 3 thermal plants and also strengthened the road infrastructure through 15000 KM new roads at a cost of Rs. 21000 crore besides carrying on the work concerning various memorials on war footing.
Earlier, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal termed as holistic and progressive the budget presented by Finance Minister, S. Parminder Singh Dhindsa. Speaking in Vidhan Sabha today on the budget, Deputy Chief Minister praised Finance Minister for having catered to interests of all sectors and said that this budget would be instrumental in taking Punjab to further heights of development.He said that the budget would boost ‘Make In Punjab’ campaign of state government and new dimensions would be added to the success story of Punjab. Terming Punjab as the state well on road to rapid progress, he castigated opposition for carrying out a negative campaign of defaming the state. He disclosed that Punjab would be next hub of ‘Medical Tourism’ after attaining numero uno position in various sectors.
Launching a scathing attack on Congress, Deputy Chief Minister said that neither did the congress brought any prestigious development project to state nor was it able to implement any welfare scheme. Replying to allegations leveled by leader of opposition regarding cancellation of VAT numbers and debt issue, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal demanded facts to which leader of opposition had no clue. The leader of opposition found himself cornered when S. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked him about Current Limit Capital.Making a comparison of Punjab in terms of facts during Congress and SAD-BJP Government, S. Badal said that performance of congress in VAT collection was just Rs. 4500 crore in 2007 which has now risen to Rs. 18000 crore. Divulging more, he said that during congress regime in 2006-07state earned Rs. 1350 crore from Excise whereas during SAD-BJP government it has increased to Rs. 5400 crore which is a clear cut proof transparent excise policy.
Deputy Chief Minister also cleared the picture about revenue receipts and GDP. He said that those branding Punjab as bankrupt would do very well to know that the increase in debt ratio of the state is very less in comparison to the other states of country. Stating the facts, he said that debt increase ratio of Punjab is 83 percent whereas in Jharkhand it is 87 percent, In Gujarat it is 91 percent, In Goa it is 95 percent, Haryana has 167 percent and Kerala has 106 percent. He said that the GDP rate on debt in Punjab at the time of congress’ exit from power in 2007 was 47 percent which was reduced to 32 percent in 2015 whereas at the national level this rate is 51 percent.
He said that previous 9 years have seen increase in prosperity of state and per capita income at present stands at Rs. 1,26,000 which was mere Rs. 41000 in 2007 during congress tenure. Disclosing more facts, Deputy Chief Minister said that due to persistent efforts of present SAD-BJP government, poverty ratio has been reduced to 8 percent from earlier 21 percent which would witness further decline to be reduced to 4 percent. Discussing about welfare schemes for various sections, he said that Punjab is only state which is successfully carrying out pro-people schemes for e.g.---Free power to farmers, Atta-Dal scheme, Pension to Old people, Free insurance to traders and farmers.
Further elaborating, he divulged that the state has witnessed rapid transformation in infrastructural and industrial sectors. Punjab is the only state to give power at cheapest rate to the new industrial units. All major roads of state are being connected with 4-6 laned roads. He said that SAD-BJP government didn’t let success journey of state to be hampered inspite of being discriminated against by previous congress government at center in terms of central funds.He said that Finance Minister, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa has presented a progressive and futuristic budget which has kept in mind interests of farmers, students, traders, women, youth besides concentrating on welfare schemes, rural development, promotion of Punjabi language and culture. He expressed confidence that economy of Punjab would scale new heights with this budget.