Terming the matter of not inviting the state government in a function to lay down the foundation stone of cancer hospital in Sangrur tomorrow as violation of federal system, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that he has protested this unwarranted move of the centre by writing a letter to Prime Minister. Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the ninth annual conference of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) here today at Trinity College, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that despite of the fact that the he has personally pursued this project and the state government has given 25 acres of land free of cost for this Hospital, the Union government has due to its vested interests not bothered to invite them in the function. He said that this callous attitude on the part of centre and national leadership depicted their myopic outlook and narrow mindset, which does not behove of such leadership to stoop too low for indulging in politicking on the projects related to the prosperity and welfare of general public. Mr. Badal said that though Health was a state subject but by ignoring the state government in this important event the Congress leadership has vindicated our stand that it was deliberately encroaching upon the rights of the state thereby diluting the nation’s federal structure on one hand and of its mental bankruptcy on the other.
The Chief Minister said that the projects for cancer hospitals in Ferozepur and Sangrur had been conceived by the state government for which they had given land to the PGI also. However he said that owing to their narrow mindset the Congress led UPA government has not even bothered to give a courtesy call to them for inviting to the function. “The Congress leaders must have refrained from stopping so low even for this great public cause” added Mr. Badal. Lashing out at the state Congress leadership, the Chief Minister said that instead of helping the state in getting any major project, the Congress leaders were busy in creating obstacles in the way of central grants for the state besides vitiating the atmosphere of state by issuing illogical statements. He said that the Congress leaders were not only blocking the grants or aids from centre but were also issuing dictatorial orders to ban their leaders from meeting us even in social functions. Mr. Badal said that the anti-Punjab stance of the state Congress leaders have been exposed before the people due to which they have rejected them time and again.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister categorically said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would soon finalize the seat arrangement with its alliance partner BJP for the Delhi assembly elections in the coming few days. He said that all the formalities regarding the seat sharing would be completed in the coming time after which the alliance would work hard to wipe out the Congress from Delhi. “We will be camping in Delhi to ensure the victory of SAD-BJP alliance in these polls” added Mr. Badal.The Chief Minister categorically said that the SAD-BJP alliance was fully ready for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls adding that the Congress would be given a crushing defeat in the state. He said that the leadership of the alliance partners would meet soon for chalking out the strategy of these polls adding that the candidates for the polls would be announced at appropriate time.
On another query, the Chief Minister said that the policy of regularization of the colonies was in the interest of the general public as it would go a long way in ensuring the welfare and overall development of the cities.
Earlier addressing the conference, the Chief Minister exhorted the youth to play a proactive role in bailing out the country from the current crisis. He said that our country which was once known as ‘Golden Sparrow’ was currently engulfed with a large number of problems and the need of the hour was that youth should come forward for making a strong and united India. Mr. Badal bemoaned that due to the misrule of successive Congress governments at the centre the nation was confronting a large number of social maladies like corruption, unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and others.Lauding the role of Christian community in the various philanthropic works, the Chief Minister said that the community has done exemplary work in the field of providing quality education and health services to the people. He said that on its part the state government has undertaken a number of path breaking initiatives to ensure the well being of the Christian community in the state adding that in future also no stone would be left unturned in this noble cause. Mr. Badal assured fulsome support and cooperation to the Christian community for their social work.
Earlier in his welcome address Bishop of Jalandhar and Chairman ICYM Northern region Revered Dr. Franko Muakkal lauded the Chief Minister for promoting communal harmony and peace in the state. Dr. Franko said that being minorities of the country the Sikhs and Christians have a strong bond of association.On the occasion the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the Trinity College Management Committee.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. KD Bhandari and Mr. Pawan Teenu, Chairman District Planning Committee Jalandhar Mr. Gurcharan Singh Channi, Chairman District Planning Committee Kapurthala and former MLA Mr. Sarabjeet Singh Makkar, Mayor Municipal Corporation Jalandhar Mr. Sunil Jyoti and his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.