Terming that each and every decision to govern the state was taken by SAD-BJP alliance unanimously, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that BJP was a part and parcel of the Cabinet, which took the decision to levy entry tax on sugar in the state.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of second day of his Sangat Darshan here today, the Chief Minister said that both the alliance partners have complete understanding on all the issues and they take the decisions pertaining to the state collectively. He further said that the alliance was everlasting and firm as both the alliance partners have completely faith and confidence on each other. “The Ministers of SAD-BJP alliance collectively take decisions in the Cabinet which are then implemented in Punjab for the welfare of the people and prosperity of the state” added Mr. Badal.
Advocating for untied funds for the overall development of the states, the Chief Minister said that the states should be given liberty to utilize these as per the needs of its people. He further said that in order to ensure holistic development of the states and the country, the implementation of federal structure of polity was must. However, Mr. Badal said that for their own vested interests the Congress leadership from time to time diluted this very fundamental principle of the Indian constitution thereby giving a big blow to the overall development of the country. “The result of this ‘sinister move’ of the Congress leaders is that the country is today facing a large number of social maladies like unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and others ” he added.
Lauding the NDA government for forming NITI aayog at the centre by scrapping the Planning Commission of India (PCI), the Chief Minister said that it was the first move towards federalism in the country. Mr. Badal said that all the states would now have equal say in the planning process adopted by the NITI aayog, which was a ‘paradigm shift’ from the centralized approach followed by the erstwhile PCI. “But still a lot needs to be done for empowering the states for which NDA will play a crucial role” he added.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was minutely looking into the case of reinstating the former cop Gurmeet Singh Pinki. He said that the law would take its own course in the case.Earlier addressing the gatherings in villages Kabarwala, Kattianwali, Pakki Tibbi, Gurusar Jodha, Dhabwali Dhaab, Sham Khera and others, the Chief Minister, while highlighting the significance of the Sangat Darshan program, said that it was the flagship program of the SAD-BJP government and its sole aim was to mitigate the woes of people by direct interface with the administrative machinery. He further said that Punjab was the only state in the country to take this unique initiative for facilitating the general public. Mr. Badal said that the Sangat Darshan was helpful not only in the solving the problems of people but was also instrumental in judging the performance of the officers/officials of the various departments.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Agriculture Dr. Mangal Singh Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mr. Kuldeep Singh Chahal.