CM ANNOUNCES TO OBSERVE 2015-16 AS ‘YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT

* NDA ALWAYS READY TO HELP PUNJAB

* THANKS GIVING TOUR IN DHURI ASSEMBLY SEGMENT

Dhri (Sangrur), May 31- In a bid to give further fillip to the all round development of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to observe the year 2015-16 as the ‘year of development’.

Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of thanks giving tour in the Dhuri assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government has been already making concerted efforts for the overall development of the urban and rural areas of the state. He said that all round development of the state was the foremost priority of the SAD-BJP alliance government for which a major scheme has already been embarked by them, which would be implemented in the current fiscal. Mr. Badal said that during the coming year focus of the state government would be to provide ultra modern civic amenities to the people in urban and rural areas. “In urban areas our focus will be on providing the facility of water supply, sewerage, Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs), Streetlights, Roads and parks whereas in rural areas provision of potable drinking water, disposal of waste water, toilets and roads will be our thrust areas” added Mr. Badal.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that in order to open new vistas of employment for the youth the state government has initiated a major campaign to impart skill training to the youth. He said that started under the aegis of Punjab State Skill Development Mission this campaign was producing the desired results. Mr. Badal said that due to encouraging results of skill development campaign in the state the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has appointed him as the chairman of Sub Group of NITI Aayog on skill training for chalking out the roadmap of skill development in the country. “Skill development is the need of the hour to eradicate the menace of unemployment and give boost to the progress of the country” he added.

The Chief Minister said that it was the mission of the state government to make Punjab a completely drug Free State. He said that on one hand the state government has taken massive steps to check the drug peddling in the state and on the other it has constructed the drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers so as to enable the drug addicts to lead life with dignity and pride after shunning the drugs. Mr. Badal said that these efforts were producing the desired results and soon Punjab would be totally a drug free state.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that recent decision of the Union government to enhance the share of state in central taxes from 32% to 42% has immensely benefitted the state. He said that the NDA was ever ready to help the state when ever Punjab government has sought anything from them.

Earlier addressing the gatherings in village Dehla, Bararwal, Ruldasinghwala, Dhandran, Rajindrapuri, Basaur and others, the Chief Minister exhorted the public to play a proactive role in the development of the villages by personally supervising the ongoing development works in the state. He said that the people must personally ensure that the tax payer’s money was judiciously spent for the well being of the people. Mr. Badal said that no government whether at the state or centre level could ensure the development and prosperity of the country without the active support and cooperation of the general public.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, MLA Mr. Gobind Singh Longowal and his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema.