PATHANKOT, AUGUST 5: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Shiromani Akali Dal would take up the issue of Gujarat farmers with Gujarat Chief MInister Mr. Narendra Modi and would also provide them total legal support in their ongoing case in the Apex Court.
Talking to media persons to after administrating oath to 407 Sarpanches and 2233 panches here today, Mr. Badal blamed Congress Party’s divisive policies for crisis being faced by Gujarat farmers. He said that in 1973 the then Congress Chief Minister in Gujarat issued a circular specifying that if any agriculturist from outside Gujarat purchased land in Gujarat he would be declared non-agriculturist. He said that that circular was made basis to freeze the agriculture holding of Punjabi Farmers in Gujarat putting them in this vicious legal tangle. He said that Congress leaders, who were crying hoarse on this issue should first apologise to the nation for sowing the procule and divisive seeds of regionalism, putting Punjabis farmers in a difficult situation.
Promising to provide total legal and political support to Punjabi Farmers facing eviction from Gujarat due to Congress imposed act, Mr. Badal said that he had already issued instructions to Advocate General PUnjab in this regared.
Blaming Congress for agrarian crisis being faced by the country, Mr. Badal said that due to pro-multinational policies imposed by Congress led UPA Government like linking the price of petrol and diesel with international crude prices, giving freedom to the multinational fertilizer companies to hike the price of urea and DAP, freeing the rates of insecticides and pesticides besides nominal hike in MSP were pushing farmers in the debt trap. He said that Oxford Economist run government was framing daily new proposals to finish the agriculture sector like wealth tax on agriculture and all these decisions were being made with the singular focus of discouraging farmers from the farming profession. Mr. Badal said that SAD has always fought for the rights of farmers and would not allow Congress led UPA Government to mortgage the economy to the MNCs.
Predicting clean sweep for NDA in ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Mr.Badal said that writing on the wall was clear that people of this country have already made up their mind to decimate the congress in the pages of history and bring back NDA to the power with a record margin. He said that all opinion polls have already clearly predicted return of NDA and Congress in desperation was looking for all avenues to loot the remaining treasury of the government.
Announcing Health INsurance for all citizens of PUnjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would be the first state in the country that has announced this scheme. He also announced free health insurance of Rs. 30000 for 30 lakh atta daal families. Mr. Badals said that Health Department was tying up with all hospitals to provide cashless treatment to all citizens. He said that 108 ambulance service was performing outstanding work as it was reaching even remotest villages within 20 minutes and shifting the patients to the nearest hospitals.
Annoucing a development bonanza for Pathankot district, Mr. Badal said that he has already fulfilled the demand of residents of this area for carving out new district and said that district Administrative Complex of this new district would be completed within one year, for which he has already sanctioned the funds. He also announced construction of World Class floodlit stadium for Pathankot in which world cup Kabaddi matches would be organized next year.
Unveiling a development plan of the state, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP Government has already sanctioned Rs. 17000 crore for linking all cities with 4/6 lane express roads within next two years. He said that Amritsar-Pathankot Road would be 6 laned within one year and work was in the final stage on Pathankot-Jalandhar national highways. He said that new industrial policy gives special concessions to those industries which would be put up in sub-mountain areas and kandi areas of Pathankot district. Mr. Badal said that by December this year Punjab would be the first state in the country that would be Power surplus as three thermal plants with combined investment of Rs. 40000 crore would become operational in next six months.