Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that by opposing his Sangat Darshan programs ‘tooth and nail’, the bad intentions of state Congress leadership has once again proved come to fore that they were envious of the state’s overall development and prosperity of its people. Addressing the gathering during the Sangat Darshan programs in Bathinda city here today, the Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, said that for want of any issue against the SAD-BJP alliance government, the state Congress leadership was indulging in cheap tactics to oppose ‘Sangat Darshan’ just for scoring brownie points in the media. He said that the opposition of Sangat Darshan program by the Congress leaders has not only exposed the anti-people face of the party but has also proved that they could go to any extent to ‘derail’ the process of development in the state. Mr. Badal said that it was on record that besides giving a major fillip to the overall development of the state, the Sangat Darshan programs has also been instrumental in mitigating the woes of common people.
The Chief Minister said that the concept of Sangat Darshan was an integral part of state’s governance as it virtually brought the government at the doorsteps of people thereby bridging the communication gap between the masses and the administration, which normally hindered the process of progress. Mr. Badal further said that besides acting as a catalyst for redressing the grievances of people, the Sangat Darshan programs were also helpful for the state government to adjudge the working of officers of the various departments. “The Sangat Darshan helps us to evaluate the performance of the officers which further facilitates us to provide effective, accountable and transparent governance to the people” he added.
Taking a dig on state Congress leadership, the Chief Minister said that it has become a fashion amongst the Congress leaders to criticize every constructive work of the state government without dwelling on its merit and demerits. He categorically said that the Congress leaders were opposing the Sangat Darshan for their vested political interests adding that nobody including the Congress leaders could deter him for holding Sangat Darshans to ensure the well being of people. Assuring the people that he would continue with this pro-people program, Mr. Badal said that the malicious propaganda unleashed by Congress leaders against this unique initiative of the state government has firmed up his commitment to serve the people with more humility, dedication and commitment.
Reiterating the commitment of the state government to provide best civic amenities to the people, the Chief Minister said that the state government has already embarked upon a major scheme to equip all the towns and cities of the state with the basic civic amenities by the next three years. Mr. Badal asked the officers of the civic body to prioritize the development works in the city to ensure optimum utilization of tax payer’s money. He said that the officers were accountable for every single penny spent on the developmental works adding that all the works must be completed well in time while adhering to the stipulated quality norms. Mr. Badal also asked the officers to facilitate the people by solving their problems rather than lingering them. Exhorting the people to play a proactive role in the development, the Chief Minister sought their fulsome support and cooperation for putting the state further on high growth trajectory. He said that no government could work in isolation and the active support of the general public was a vital element for ensuring the growth and progress of the state for ushering a new era of development in Punjab.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sarup Chand Singla and his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema.