Terming that the BJP led NDA government at centre has never denied financial aid to the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that some Congress leaders were indulging in false propaganda for their vested political interests. Interacting with the media persons during his visit to Nishkam Sewa Vidya Mandir here today, the Chief Minister said that the UPA government knew that they would not be able to form government in 2014 and that was why, they emptied the coffers of the exchequer during their rule. He said that when the NDA government took over the reins, country's exchequer was very poor but unfortunately now some of the Congress leaders were misguiding people by false propaganda that the centre has refused financial aid to the state. Taking a dig at the Congress, Badal said that the Congress has always meted out step motherly treatment towards Punjab.The Chief Minister expressed hope that the Government of India (GoI) would soon announce an industrial as well as an agricultural package for Punjab, which would be a boon for our state. Mr. Badal said he would soon meet Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi over this issue. "We are already in talks with the centre regarding an industrial and agricultural package for Punjab and during my meeting with the Prime Minister, I will take up this matter on priority basis," Mr Badal said.
The Chief Minister also said that the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janta Party alliance in the state was unbreakable and both parties have strong bonding.Addressing the gathering during function organized by Nishkam Sewa Vidya Mandir, the Chief Minister applauded the efforts of Nishkam Sewa Ashram (Trust) and its head Mr Sarwan Kumar Sharma and said that more such organisations should come forward for the upliftment of downtrodden and weaker sections of the society by imparting education to their children. Mr. Badal said that to impart free education to bright students scoring above 80 percent marks in matriculation, the state government has started schools for such meritorious students in different cities of the state.
Mr Sarwan Kumar Sharma thanked Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, chief editor, Ajit Publications Group, Jalandhar, for starting Ajit Haryawal Lehar, under which more than 40 lakh tree saplings have been planted across the state.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister directed Mr Pardeep Aggarwal, Municipal Commissioner, Ludhiana, to assist Nishkam Sewa Ashram (Trust) for finding adequate land for setting up of another school for children of weaker sections of the society. He also assured a grant of Rs five lakh to the trust. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard , MLA Mr Ranjit Singh Dhillon, BJP district president Mr Parveen Bansal, ex MLA Mr Harish Rai Dhanda, besides others.Later the Chief Minister also attended the first death anniversary (barsi) of Mr Tejinderpal Singh Makkar, the son of SGPC chief Jathedar Avtar Singh at Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Model Town Extension, here. Paying floral tributes to Mr. Tejinderpal Singh Makkar, he said that this young son of SGPC Chief shared the burden of domestic affairs with his father thereby enabling Jathedar Avtar Singh to serve the mankind and Sikh Panth zealously. Mr. Badal said in the death of Tejinderpal Singh, a void has been created which was difficult to be filled and now Jathedar Avtar Singh has been burdened with enormous responsibilities.Prominent among those present on this occasion included Cabinet ministers Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Mr Daljit Singh Cheema, Rajya Sabha member Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, several MLA's, SGPC members, besides others.