Lauding the Government of India (GoI) for allotting two fresh express highways from the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today envisioned that these expressways would act as catalyst of development and prosperity of the state besides facilitating the people to travel in hassle free manner.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that it was on record that NDA Government has given lion's share of development projects to the state adding that no other government in the past has accorded such importance to the state in infra-structural projects. He said this reflected the special affection of NDA Government for state adding that this was just pie of the robust share of development projects in offing. Mr. Badal said that these projects would immensely benefit the people by making their travelling easier thereby saving their lot of time, money and energy.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to lift every single grain of paddy from the market. He said that the state government has already made elaborate arrangements for smooth and hassle free procurement of the food grains. Mr. Badal said that the entire procurement operation was being monitored by the top brass of state government to avoid any sort of inconvenience to the farmers.
Refuting the charges of misappropriation of funds for procurement being leveled by the Congress party, the Chief Minister said that all these allegations were ‘figment of imagination’ of the Congress leaders. He said that the entire procurement operations were monitored by premier banking institute like Reserve Bank of India, so there was hardly any scope of misappropriation. Mr. Badal said that the amount of around Rs 30000 crore being questioned by Congress leaders also includes the funds used for procurement during their successive regimes adding that Congress were just misleading the people to score brownie points before the media.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Union government must beef up the security along with the Indo-Pak border in the state. He said that effective steps must be taken by the GoI to check infiltration from across the border. Mr. Badal also expressed happiness over the decision of Union Home Ministry to revoke the orders regarding evacuation of villages along with 10 kilometres radius of Indo-Pak border.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister expressed deep concern over the recent attack on Sikhs in California. He expressed hope that the GoI would take adequate measures to ensure the security of Sikhs across the globe.Earlier addressing the public gatherings during Sangat Darshan in village Dabwali Malkon Ki, Kangan Khera, Khema Khera, Tarmala and others, the Chief Minister said that unprecedented development has taken place in the state during last one decade. He said that the state government has made all out efforts to ensure holistic development of urban and rural areas of Punjab. Mr. Badal said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government Punjab was today leading the country in several sectors.
Listing the major pro-people initiatives taken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP alliance government has supplied free power to the farmers of the state at a cost of Rs 50000 crore in last ten years to bail them out from agrarian crisis. He further said that Punjab was the only state in the country to provide Atta-Dal scheme to the weaker sections adding that it was also the only state to ensure free treatment for fatal diseases like Cancer and Hepatitis C. Mr. Badal said that the state government has started first of its kind scheme to provide interest free crop loans worth Rs 50000 to the farmers. He further said that in another historic decision it has been decided that all the farmers would be provided a health insurance cover of Rs.50,000 and an insurance of Rs.5 lac in case of accidental death or incapacitation of head of family.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Chairman Puncofed Mr. Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, Vice Chairman Punjab Mandi Board Mr. Mandeep Singh Pappi Tarmala, District Coordinator SAD Mr. Avtar Singh Vanwala, Chairman Mr. Gurbakshish Singh Middukhera, Member Punjab State Women Commission Bibi Veerpal Kaur Tarmala, Director Punjab State Tubewell Corporation Mr. Harmesh Singh Khudian, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Sumit Jaranghal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Gurpreet Singh.