Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari has said that the UPA Government is committed to providing safe and clean drinking water to all. Addressing a number of public meetings in Ludhiana today, Sh Tewari expressed concern over the non-availability of clean and safe drinking water in Punjab. Mr. Tewari further said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi UPA Government’s next step will be to provide safe and clean drinking water to the entire population of the country.
He said that the amount for the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water and Sanitation Mission has been increased manifold and under the 12th Five Year Plan an amount of Rs. 1,07,015 crore has been earmarked for this mission. He said that the Government has adopted rights-based approach for the welfare of the people. After the Right to Information, Right to Education, Right to Employment under MGNREGA, now the people are being empowered with Right to Food. He said with the implementation of the Food Security Ordinance over 81 crore eligible citizens will be entitled to get rice, wheat and coarse grain at a nominal price of Rs. 3, 2 and 1 respectively.
He said that the uniform approach is vital for overall development, but the State of Punjab is lagging behind due to discriminating approach of the Akali-BJP Government. He said, due to the wrong policies of the state government, the state of Punjab has slipped to 19th position from no. 1. He said that the UPA Government is providing assistance to the states for welfare and development of the people and the state should acknowledge the vital contribution of the Centre. Mr. Tewari said that it has become the tendency and the habit of Punjab Government to take the credit without mentioning the contribution of the Centre. He said the state of Punjab has become a debt-ridden state.
Sh. Manish Tewari disbursed grant of Rs. 1 crore 24 lac from his MPLADS fund to setup eight new tubewells in various wards of Ludhiana the city. He called upon the concerned persons to utilize this amount with transparency and accountability and these tubewells should be commissioned within next two months.