Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today rubbished the wrong propaganda of Congress Party that Punjab was in the state of ‘economic crisis’ and said that Congress leaders should get their facts updated since the Punjab has registered a 4 time increase in its income jumping from Rs. 5000 crore to Rs. 21000 crore during last six years.Talking to media persons here, Mr. Badal said that till date the Congress Party did not accept the revival of SAD-BJP alliance in the state on the basis of development and the party leaders were misleading the people of Punjab by giving false and irrelevant statements. He said that presently the POWERCOM, which was in financial loss of Rs. 2000 crore few years back, is in profit of Rs. 300 crore whereas the revenue collection of Punjab has also increased in a big way without imposition of new taxes on general masses.
Answering a query regarding income resources, Mr. Badal said that state government was increasing the income resources without imposing new taxes. He said that it was the result of SAD-BJP government’s restless efforts that the Powercom has retained its glory and come to a profitable institution. On being asked about the allegations of Punjab Congress Mr. Badal said that Congress leaders should understand the fact that debt rate on Congress led UPA government was more than 54 percent, which was much higher than the debt rate on Punjab. He said that the debt rate on Punjab was around 46 percent few years back but now it has bring down to 31 percent.
Describing Power needs most essential product for the development of any nation and state, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP Government had set a target to put Punjab on the map of world’s top developed states, which was near to come true. Mr. Badal said that by December this year the Punjab has become the Power surplus state as the three, on the advanced stage of completion, thermal plants would become operational. He said that their commitment with the people of Punjab to provide 24X7 uninterrupted power supply on less costs as compare to other states would fulfil in the end of this year and SAD-BJP Government would officially declare Punjab as a ‘Power Surplus State’ in December.
Giving details of road connectivity project, Mr. Badal said that the all the cities and towns of Punjab would be connected with 4/6 lane road in next three years as the state government has finalised the plan and the construction works at various places under this Rs. 16,000 crore project has already begun. He said that in next four months Rs. 1700 crore would be spent on the repair, widening and development of link and major roads in the state. He said that besides upgrading the road connectivity in the state, Punjab Government was also laying special stress on the air connectivity and for this purpose 3 more domesic airports were under construction out of which Bathinda airport has ready for flights. He said that they were in touch with Union Aviation Ministry for inauguration of Bathinda airport and it would shortly be opened for flights.
When asked about the recently launched Industrial Policy of Punjab Government, Mr. Badal said that this policy has received a positive response in its beginning phase as various renowned companies of world have shown their interests to invest in Punjab. He said that few days back almost all heads of TATA companies had detailed discussions with Punjab Government and this discussion would bring a fruit for Punjab soon.On a query regarding VAT refund, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab has made the VAT refund online and automated, which would directly in the account of dealers. He also informed that by December this year, all the offices of Deputy Commissioners in the state would be made computerised and this pilot project has been started at Kapurthala and Nawan Shahr.
Appreciating the development initiatives of Punjab Government, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member Parliament said that in next three years the Punjab would witness an unprecedented development and become a top developed state in the country.Meanwhile, Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former Union Minister and Mr. Rajinder Gupta, Chairman Trident Group thanked Deputy Chief Minister.