The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would undertake a whirlwind tour in the rain affected water logged areas of Mansa, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib Districts from 13th to 15th September to reach out to people in distress and assure proper compensation awards.Badal made this announcement here today while talking to the media persons on the first day of his two-day Sangat Darshan program in the Talwandi Sabo assembly constituency. He added that the visit to flood affected areas would be aimed at getting first hand information of the losses incurred, hastening the pace of rescue operations wherever needed, ensuring that the people in areas get adequate civil supplies and food and that the girdawri was soon conducted to assess damage to crops and land.
He said that policies framed by previous Congress led UPA government at Centre had tied the hands of the state government due to which they were forced to award meager compensation for natural disasters but now the NDA government at the helm of affairs, the Punjab government expected a major hike in the quantum of existing compensation norms to adequately commensurate with the interest of farmers.Answering a query on the impending issue of Ranjit Sagar Dam with Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was open for settling the matter amicably. “J&K government is pre-occupied in mitigating the flood disaster and even we also don’t want to disturb them at this critical juncture. This contentious matter would be soon resolved harmoniously,” he asserted.
Responding to a query on the Congress demand for white paper on the financial affairs of state, the Chief Minister said that before raising any such demand the Congress should introspect to ascertain the reasons which forced its leaders to lick the dust even in their own home constituencies.Talking about the partnering with Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) for Haryana assembly elections, he said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was ready to forge alliance with parties which were willing to form anti-Congress government. He added that the SAD-BJP has very intimate and cordial ties with each other and even this was the oldest alliance in the country, which was religiously followed by both the parties.
Earlier, Mr. Badal began his tour of this constituency by first paying obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo where he prayed for the welfare of state. While addressing gathering in the villages of Bhagi Vander, Mahi Nangal, Malkana, Giana Mr. Badal enquired from village panchayats and villagers about the ongoing developmental works. He directed the officials to fasten the pace of developmental works, ensure transparency and quality of the works conducted. He said that all the funds granted should be optimally utilized. He asked people to actively come forward and contribute towards the overall development of the region. The Chief Minister was accompanied him by MLA Talwandi Sabo Mr. Jeet Mohinder Sidhu, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg.