Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
- Will call on Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister soon
- Pays obeisance at Golden Temple along with Union Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Badal
Amritsar, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asserted that Punjab has sought its legitimate right of financial package from the centre as it fought the nation’s war against terrorism.
Mr. Badal accompanied by his wife and Union Cabinet Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal was talking to media persons here after paying obeisance at Golden Temple.
Answering a query referring to media reports regarding financial package to Punjab, Mr. Badal said Punjab has been demanding its legitimate right as Special Economic Assistance from Center, which is a reasonable demand of the state and it should be unconditionally fulfilled. He said Punjab had suffered a lot during the militancy period and was still suffering the pains of that period. He said war against terrorism was a nation’s war fought by Punjab for the security and integrity of the country.
Mr. Badal said soon Punjab CM Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and he, himself, would call on Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley for sympathetically considering state’s demand. He said Punjab was also lagging behind on economic fronts due to massive tax concessions provided to hilly states and now Punjab should also be included in that category. He said it was the Congress which was behind the false propaganda of State’s fiscal health. Mr. Badal said the Congress leadership should know the fact that in Congress regime from 2002-2007 the debt ratio of Punjab was 45 percent and the SAD-BJP government had brought down it to 31 percent.
“Punjab has made the nation self-reliant on food security front though it has suffered a lot due to terrorism and other severe crisis. The state’s economy has also face hit due to tax concessions to neighbouring states. Punjab played a significant role in freedom battle of country by making highest sacrifices,” said Mr. Badal adding that our demand of special economic package is state’s right.
On being asked about delay in inauguration of Bathinda Airport, Mr. Badal said Bathinda Airport was fully ready to become operational. He said Punjab has sought time from Union Aviation Minister for inauguration of the airport and it would become operational in a few months. He said the UPA government deliberately created obstacles in making this airport functional. Mr. Badal also informed that Punjab was taking up the issue of expansion of Ludhiana Airport so that international flights could land there.
Meanwhile Mr. Badal along with Mrs. Badal and senior officers of Punjab Government inspected the ongoing work of Golden Temple Plaza, where a world class façade is being constructed. Expressing satisfaction over ongoing work, Mr. Badal asked the authorities concerned to expedite the work so the upper portion of plaza could be open for public before November thisa.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat and Commissioner of police Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh. EOM
