While terming both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as Anti-Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat parties, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has appealed to people for a complete wipeout of both the parties in the larger interest of the state.Addressing the people during his Sangat Darshan program in Khanna constituency, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said that Congress party has harmed the state religiously, economically and socially and now, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is treading in the same path followed by Congress, so both these parties need to be decimated for the betterment of the state.While elaborating on the excesses and discrimination done by Congress party with Punjab, the Chief Minister said that it was Congress which perpetrated planned attack on Sri Harimandir Sahib as well as the 1984 Sikh Genocide, which had tormented the Sikh psyche. He said that the Congress did not stop here as they gave Punjab’s share of river waters to Rajasthan, started the construction of Satluj-Yamuna Link canal and ruined the state’s economy by giving financial sops to industry in neighboring states. He said that Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas were never given to Punjab, which led to social imbalance in the state.Mr. Badal said that now the AAP is also moving in the same direction and filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India regarding river waters of Punjab and by comparing their election manifesto with Holy Scriptures; it is also moving on the footsteps of Congress party. He said that such tactics of both these parties have hurt Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat, so all of us should remain vigilant from both the parties.
During his Sangat Darshan programme in Khanna town, the Chief Minister informed that the state government has already sanctioned Rs 176 crore project, under which Khanna town would soon get 100% Water Supply and Sewerage. He informed that this project has been cleared under the Amrit Scheme and the consultant company is already carrying out a survey in the town, which would be completed within one and half months’ time. The CM announced that once the survey is completed, tenders would be floated and the construction work would start. He assured the people of Khanna that they would soon have facilities of 100% water supply and sewerage. The CM also handed over a cheque worth Rs 12.51 crore to Executive Officer of Municipal Council, Khanna for execution of various development projects.Mr. Badal appealed to the people to be considerate while taking political decision keeping in view their own interests in mind. The Chief Minister said that the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janta Party led Punjab government has paid more than Rs 50,000 crore from the government treasury for the electricity bills of tubewells of farmers. He said that had the state government not paid this amount, the farmers, who are already reeling under agriculture debt, would have suffered a burden of Rs 50,000 crore. Mr. Badal informed that the state is now providing interest free loan of Rs 50,000 for farmers, besides free health treatment of up to Rs 50,000 for them, blue card holders, traders and construction workers. He said that there is also a provision of an insurance of Rs 5 lakh in case the head of family dies in an accident or incapacitation.
He informed that pensions disbursed under social security have been increased from Rs 250 per month to Rs 500 per month.He said that Punjab is the only state which provides free treatment for cancer patients and now, patients of Hepatitis-C would also get free treatment in all government hospitals of the state.In reply to a question related to announcement of candidates for Vidhan Sabha elections while speaking to media persons at village Rajewal, the Chief Minister said that the candidates would be announced at an appropriate time.Answering another question related to death of two persons in a road accident in Ludhiana district yesterday, the Chief Minister termed it as an unfortunate incident and said that any death due to road accidents is quite painful. He said that for proper upkeep of stray cattle, the state government has constructed Gaushalas in different parts of the state and the state government is serious over this issue.Before his Sangat Darshan program at Rajewal village, the Chief Minister also visited renowned social worker Bhagat Puran Singh’s memorial constructed in the same village. The Chief Minister held his Sangat Darshan program organized in villages of Panj Rukhan, Bibipur, Rajewal and in Khanna town, where he announced grants for various development projects in different villages of Khanna constituency. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. S Karuna Raju, Senior Akali leader Mr. Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Deputy Commissioner Mr Ravi Bhagat, DIG Mr SK Kalia, SSP Mr Satinder Singh, Akali leader Mr. Iqbal Singh Channi, YAD leader Mr Yadwinder Singh Yadu, Mr Inderpal Singh besides several others.