Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, The Punjab Congress President, Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, today called upon the Panchayati Raj Rural Development Cell of the party to confront the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh in the rural areas to stop its penetration.
Addressing a meeting of the party cell here at the Congress Bhavan, the PPCC chief cautioned the people saying the infiltration by this communal force was a matter of great concern as it might create tension in this sensitive state which could not afford any damage to its fragile social fabric. He asserted peace would not be allowed to be disturbed by such divisive and sectarian forces. He said the rise of such forces in this border state was a matter of serious concern.
Mr Bajwa slammed the Akali Dal-BJP government for being anti-farmer whose real face had been exposed during paddy procurement season. He said the BJP was an urban centric party which had no concern for the rural areas. Comparing the present situation with that under the UPA, he pointed out that the prices of wheat and paddy had increased by about Rs 700 per quintal from 2004 to 2013 while the increase earlier under BJP led NDA was just Rs 60 from 1999 to 2004.
He said while the diesel prices in the world market were decreasing sharply, Akali Dal- BJP Government was planning to increase VAT on diesel which would be opposed by Congress.
He slammed the Union Government for levying Service Tax on NRI remittances and said that this will encourage the Hawala transaction. He demanded its immediate withdrawal. He also slammed S. Parkash Singh Badal for bestowing the title of Sardar e Azam on Sh. Narendra Modi, when he is bent upon dislocating the Punjabi farmers from Kutch area. He asked Badal to urge Modi to with draw the SLP from Supreme Court to prove that he has any passion for Punjabi farmers.
He claimed MANREGA which was introduced by UPA helped the development of villages and provided assured employment in rural areas. BJP government was now planning to make drastic changes in MANREGA rules which would take away the true benefits of this scheme.
Referring to the current situation in the state, Mr Bajwa said the BJP was trying to disassociate itself from all the ill deeds to which it was a partner during the last 8 years with Akali Dal, be it drug smuggling, mafia rule or the massive loot of Punjabis in sand prices. The department of mining had always remained with the BJP. He called upon the activists of the cell to fan out and educate people about the way the BJP was trying to hood wink the people of Punjab and cover up involvement in all the crimes against Punjabis.
Rural department cell chairman Jagtar Singh Burj referred to the projects set up by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru like the Bhakra Dam and Panjab Agriculture University and good governance by Dr Manmohan Singh and the schemes like mid-day meal and MANREGA launched by his government. He took the Badal government to task for corruption and mafia raj.
The former chief minister Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal traced the contribution of the Congress in the development of the state. He also recalled the sacrifice made by then chief minister Beant Singh to restore peace.
Others who participated included the party General Secretaries Gurcharan Singh Bhoparai MLA, Mr Fateh Jang Bajwa, Mr Rajanbir Singh, Smt. Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, Balraj Singh Buttar Chairman Moga, Satwinder Singh Chadian Chairman Ropar, Manjit Singh Barowal Chairman Ludhiana-I, Bhajan Singh Seana Chairman Ferozepur Rural, Paramjit Singh Walia Chairman Ludhiana-II, Gurcharan Singh Hamad Chairman Ferozepur Urban, Sharanjit Singh Jogipur Chairman Patiala, Jasveer Singh Rana Chairman Mohali, Nirver Singh Pannu Chairman Tarn Taran, Ranjit Singh Rana Chairman Jandiala, Baksish Singh Chairman Patti, Amarjit Singh Kaka Chairman Barnala, Onkar Surat Singh bajwa General Secretary, Bhola Singh Shakri Chairman Transport Cell PPCC, Principal Hardeep Singh Chairman Pentioner & Ex Servicemen Cell, Jagteshwar Singh Burj, Harpreet Singh Sandhu, Robin Singh Shakri Transporter and other senior leaders.
