Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government was firmly committed for continuing the power subsidy to the farmers and the weaker sections of the state.
Addressing the gathering here during the concluding day of his thanks giving tour of the Lambi assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that there was hardly any reason to stop these subsidies which have been given by the SAD-BJP alliance ever since they have been voted to power in the year 2007. He reiterated that Punjab being a welfare state it was duty of the state to provide these subsidies to the farmers and the weaker sections of the society. Moreover he said that as Agriculture is no longer a profitable venture and has already reached a point of saturation so being an agriculturally dominant state it was the duty of the state government to protect the interests of the farmers.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that owing to the high inflationary trends prevalent in the country the state government also feels its moral responsibility of giving a relief to the weaker sections of the society by providing them free power. However, he said that the state government would not at all tolerate the theft of power and water in the state adding that strict action would be taken against those people who were caught indulging in such activities. Mr. Badal exhorted the people to refrain from such activities and co-operate the state government in ensuring the overall development of the state. The Chief Minister also promised the people that concerted efforts were being made by the state to make the state power surplus in the coming year.
Later on talking to the newsmen after laying down the foundation stone of the constructing the Sulabh Toilet in village Gursar Jodhan, Mr. Badal said that the financial condition of the state was very good and there was no dearth of funds for carrying out the all round development of the state. He said that state government has joined hands with Sulabh International to construct toilets in the rural areas of the state so as to facilitate the poor families living in these areas. The Chief Minister said that this pilot project would be covering whole of the state and soon the state would become the first one in the country to provide toilets in every household of the villages.
Replying to a query regarding the allegations of vendetta being leveled by certain Congress leaders of the state, the Chief Minister said that in his whole political career spanning over more than five decades, he had never believed in politics of vendetta. Refuting such allegations leveled by the Congress leadership, Mr. Badal said that he would look into all such cases which were brought to his notice by them.
The Chief Minister also denied the allegations leveled by former Finance Minister and his nephew Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal that his phones were being tapped by the state government. Mr. Badal categorically said that the state government was not indulging in any such activity adding that there was hardly any need of tapping the phones of the political leaders.
Welcoming the invitation extended by Pakistan President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for visiting Pakistan, the Chief Minister said that it was a laudable step as it would help in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. He reiterated that with the improving of the bilateral ties between both the neighboring countries, promotion of trade would take place which would benefit them in general and Punjab in particular. He said that being a land locked state Punjab is going to be a major beneficiary from opening of borders of the state for cross border trade with Pakistan.
On the last day of his thanks giving tour the Chief Minister addressed public gatherings at Karamgarh, Kabarwala, Saraawan Bodla, Aspaal, Kattianwali, Pakki Tibbi, Gurusar Jodha, Dabwali Dhab, Burj Sidhwan and Chappianwali.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Special Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema and Mr Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister Mr Sukhjeet Pal Singh, Chairman of Sulabh International Mr Bindeshwar Pathak and Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandak Committee Member Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali.