Loondewala (Sri Muktsar Sahib)      Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the hostile attitude of the Congress led UPA government towards the states ruled by opposition parties was straining the Centre-states relations in the country. 

               Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in the Gidderbaha assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister categorically said that the national Congress leadership was eroding the federal system in the nation by deliberately ignoring the elected governments of states during the inauguration of developmental projects. He said that whether it was Uttar Pradesh or Punjab, the Congress leaders had deliberately ignored the ruling political leadership of the states in the functions of the union government just to take political mileage of these projects. Mr. Badal said that it reflected the frustration of the Congress leaders who were making these futile attempts in the false hope of regaining the power again at centre.

               The Chief Minister said that the Congress leaders must remember one thing that the money spent on these projects comes from the states through the collection of taxes due to which they have every right over it. He said that they do not bother about not being invited at the function to lay down the foundation stone of PGIMER Satellite Centre at Sangrur but the manner the Union government has humiliated them by ignoring the state government in this regard, was unconstitutional and derogatory. Mr. Badal said that Health was a state subject but Congress leaders, who were habitual of usurping the powers of the states, have once again encroached upon their rights.

               Holding the state Congress President Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa responsible for causing irreparable damage to the interests of the state, the Chief Minister said that the Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur has caused a loss of thousands of crore to state exchequer by getting the central grants blocked. He said that these grants could have helped in ensuring the overall development of the state and prosperity of its people but by acting as a stumbling block Mr. Bajwa has got these grants stalled. However, Mr. Badal praised the leader of opposition in Vidhan Sabha Mr. Sunil Jakhar for supporting the state government in seeking grant for the water logged areas of the state.

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The Chief Minister reiterated that the sole aim of holding the Sangat Darshan in the villages was to bring the state government virtually at the door steps of the people for redressing their problems. Mr. Badal also said that the Deputy Commissioners have been authorized to allot five marlas land each to the homeless household following the resolution passed by the village panchayats. He also asked the officers to adhere to the high quality norms stipulated for carrying out the development works. 

Honouring Akali workers and their kin who were lodged in jails with him during the various Akali agitations, the Chief Minister said that he had always aspired to felicitate these ‘heroes’ who had made supreme sacrifices for constituting the Akali governments in the state. Mr. Badal also said that he had asked the leaders to collect the data of all such leaders who had faced hardships in jail so that a pictorial Directory of these leaders could be compiled for inspiring the future generations about their rich legacy. He said the SAD was in power today just because of the struggle of these leaders due to it was their moral duty to honour them. On the occasion, welcoming 25 leaders of the PPP into Akali fold, the Chief Minister said that they would be given due respect in the party.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP from Faridkot Mrs. Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan, Chairman District Planning Committee Mr. Hardeep Singh Dimpi Dhillon, Member SGPC Jathedar Navtej Singh Kauni, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Paramjeet Singh.