The Congress party's candidate from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat Vijay Inder Singla, who is seeking re-election on Wednesday while addressing his election related meetings in Dirba assembly constituency area criticized the ruling SAD-BJP alliance for a step motherly treatment given to Industry and remarked that the Akalis have not been taking adequate steps for generation of jobs through industrial promotion activities in the state. No wonder, he observed that industry is not keen to invest in Punjab. Only lip sympathy is being given and investor summits are a Public Relations exercise only by the Akali – BJP Govt. which the Punjab citizens are well aware of said Singla.
Citing statistics Singla stated that a meagre Rs 52 crore have been spent in the last five years as Plan expenditure for Industry in the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) by the Akali -BJP government which is about 0.15% of total expenditure of Rs 32,000 crore spent under Plan head. He added that no wonder that the industrial focal points are in bad shape and the State is confronted with rising unemployment and Youth getting demoralized and going astray. Singla addressing Congress workers also stated that an arrogant and high handed attitude of the State government and Administration was not providing a healthy work environment for business to flourish in this bordering state of Punjab and was further compounded by the irrational and high taxation policies being followed by the Punjab government. He observed that there is a need to developed skilled technical manpower and invest in higher education before industry will get attracted to the State – initiatives on which the Govt. has not shown any interest.Vijay Inder Singla expressed confidence on Election Commission of India for conducting a fair and free election in Punjab and requested the Punjab CEO to set up a special cell for receiving and acting on the complaints regarding distribution of money, drugs and liquor on round the clock basis.