Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that in a ‘well deserved’ gift to the state, the NDA government has decided to include Punjab under the “Prime Minister Adarsh Gram Yojna” scheme, which was aimed at transforming the fortunes of SC population in the state, whereas the Congress led UPA government had deliberately excluded the state from this scheme despite of largest concentration of SC population in it.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan in Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that he had personally raised this issue with the UPA government a number of times earlier but no heed was paid towards this genuine demand of the state government. He said that states with far less SC population than Punjab were reaping the benefits of this scheme during the UPA regime but the state was deliberately denied benefits under this scheme which was grave injustice with millions of SC brethren. However, Mr. Badal said that after the change of guard at the centre, the NDA government has given its consent to include state under this scheme.
The Chief Minister, while expressing gratitude to NDA government, said that Punjab was the most deserving state with highest SC population (32%) in the country as per census 2011 and out of the total number of 12168 inhabited villages, 2800 villages (23.01%) have 50% or more SC population. Mr. Badal said that this scheme would go a long way in providing the basic infra structural facilities like pavement of streets and phirnis, solar street lights, hand pumps, toilets, water supply and sewerage in the villages across the state. He said that as Sri Muktsar Sahib District was having the largest concentration of SC populace so 50 villages from the district have been chosen under this scheme.
Asked to comment on allegations leveled by the Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu regarding development of her constituency, the Chief Minister said that he had already sanctioned Rs. 10 crore as demanded by her for the constituency. He said that even if Mrs. Sidhu seeks more fund for her constituency then her demand would be considered. Refuting the allegations regarding preferential treatment to any city/constituency of the state, he said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was sincerely working to ensure overall development and growth in every nook and corner of the state without any prejudice or regional disparity.
Earlier addressing the gatherings during Sangat Darshan in village Tappa Khera, Deon Khera, Fatehpur Mannia, Arniwala, Phulu Khera, Sheranwala, Tarmala and others, the Chief Minister categorically said that the SAD-BJP government has started a flagship program of Sangat Darshan to redress the grievances of the people in a time bound manner. Mr. Badal said it was a unique program that was being carried only in the state with the sole motive of ensuring the overall development of the state and welfare of its people.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middu Khera, Chairman Mr. Surinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, Circle President Mr. Avtar Singh Vanwala, Mr. Satinderjeet Singh Manta, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.