Slamming the successive Congress governments at centre for completely ignoring the border belt of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the union government has completely betrayed them by neglecting their immense contribution for the country. Addressing the gathering during the Sangat Darshan program of the Fatehgarh Churian assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister, while describing the residents of border areas as ‘true patriots’, said that they have braved every odd for the sake of preserving the unity and integrity of the country. He said that pision of the country and wars with Pakistan in the post independence era had given a fatal blow to the development and prosperity of the border towns of Punjab adding that the cities like Amritsar, Kalanaur, Ferozepur, Fazilka and others which were once the industrial and trading hubs of the unpided Punjab have been now reduced to petty trading centers. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that not only this but the people of these border cities had to bear the brunt of even slightest tension at border but unfortunately instead of recognizing the enormous contribution of these people in preserving the unity and integrity of the country, the Union government has completely turned a blind eye towards these areas.
The Chief Minister said that it was on record that instead of giving any special package for the industry, agriculture or any other sector of these areas, the Congress led Union governments at the centre had deliberately framed such policies which had resulted the exodus of the industry from this area. Citing an example Mr. Badal said that the industry of historic town of Batala has been ruined due to the wrong and irrational policies of the Union government. “The immense contribution of these ‘brave hearts’ residing in the border belt of the state has been completely overlooked by the successive Congress governments at the centre” Mr. Badal added. However the Chief Minister said that on its part the state government was making all out efforts to herald a new era of unprecedented development in these areas of the state. He said that special care was given to impart quality Healthcare and educational facilities to the residents of these areas. Likewise Mr. Badal said that the state government was also giving relief to the farmers of these areas whose land falls across the border fence by compensating them for their colossus loss.
Coming down heavily on the Punjab Congress leadership, the Chief Minister said that the Union Ministers and MPs of the party from the state had never minced any word against this atrocious and step motherly treatment of their party high command. He said that rather than seeking the funds and projects from centre for the development of the state, the Punjab Congress leaders were acting as stumbling blocks to meet their narrow vested political ends. Mr. Badal said that due to the dubious character of the state Congress leaders the wise voters of Punjab have rejected them time and again.Terming that the people were masters of their own destiny, the Chief Minister impressed upon them to make a suitable choice in coming general elections by constituting the NDA government at centre, so as to give fillip to the overall development of the state. He said that the formation of NDA government at centre was need of the hour as it would help in ushering a new era of unprecedented development in the state. Mr. Badal said that the agenda of Congress was to ‘pide and rule’ whereas the SAD-BJP alliance was pursuing a constructive agenda to ensure holistic development of the state.
Rapping the Congress leaders for making ‘hoarse cry’ on the Sangat Darshan conducted by him, the Chief Minister 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. He reiterated 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.
Earlier the Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed building of the Police Station Bangar and laid down the foundation stone of Primary Health Centre Aliwal.Interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that decision regarding taking any action against the Punjab Congress Chief Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa in land deal case would be taken after thorough scrutinizing the government records. He reiterated that the decision would be taken completely on merit and whosoever found guilty, would be brought to book.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister categorically said that the SAD-BJP alliance would sweep the upcoming polls of Delhi assembly. He said that fed up from the ‘misrule’ of Congress both in Delhi and Centre, the people were eagerly waiting to show them a door in these polls. The Chief Minister was accompanied by former Minister Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, former Chairman of Punjab Tube Well Corporation Mr. Ravikaran Singh Kahlon, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhinav Trikha.