By Punjabnewswire4u
MOHALI, SEPT 27
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh
Badal today described the announcement of Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar Mr. Navjot
Singh Sidhu’s fast unto death as ‘unfortunate and unwarranted: Badal
Talking to the media persons on the sidelines of the
foundation laying function of Common Facility Center for the Sanitary and Bath
Fittings Manufacturers here at Industrial Phase 8, the Chief Minister said that
Mr. Sidhu should not have taken this step on these issues which could have been
amicably resolved across the table. Mr. Badal said that he always held the Lok
Sabha MP in high esteem as he was a respectable leader of BJP adding the Chief
Minister said that it was intrinsically in his nature that he always treated
not only the leaders and even the workers of his party but even of opposition
with full regard and respect. He reiterated
his firm commitment to develop the Holy City of Amritsar as one of the most
modern cities across the world being the ethnic and religious tourist
destination.
Replying to a query regarding the issues raised by the Lok
Sabha MP regarding the diversion of Amritsar Improvement Trust funds to other
local government Municipalities, the Chief Minister said that he had written a
letter to the Local Government Minister to furnish entire details in question
with the copy of the letter endorsed to the Lok Sabha MP for his information.
Mr. Badal further mentioned that the practice of diverting funds was in vogue
since 1981 as an internal arrangement of the Local Government department to
give funds to those civic bodies which were facing financial crunch through
following a proper procedure of adopting a resolution by the concerned
Municipality and finally it got to be cleared by the Local Government Minister.
Therefore he said that there was hardly anything wrong or illegal in it.
Earlier addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said
that the Common Facility Center coming up at a cost of Rs 14 crore under the
Mohali Hi-Tech Metal Cluster as a Special Purpose Vehicle would further propel
the practices of quality manufacturing of elegant bath and sanitary fittings
which would further give enormous opportunities to the cluster members to
expand their business in a big way. He said that it would give a big boost to
total sales which was likely to increase from the existing Rs 200 to 400 crore
and likewise exports would get a fillip from Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore as
apprised by the cluster members.
The Chief Minister said that our government was committed to
boost the industrialization in the state with the recently announced Industrial
Incentives to the entrepreneurs. He said that it was a matter of pride that
Punjab has figured amongst the top three investment destinations in the country
as per the report of the Reserve Bank of India. Batting for a true federal
structure in the country Mr. Badal said the current approach of Centre by
depriving the states from their legitimate demands were a pointer towards the
Unitary form of government, which were encroaching upon the rights of the state
in one way or the other.
Corroborating his claim, the Chief Minister said the classic
example of discrimination with Punjab was the industrial incentives given to
our neighboring hilly states which have resulted in the mass exodus of local
industry from here thereby giving a fatal blow to our economy. Had the Congress
led UPA government been sincere to the core in its approach, it would have
atleast extended a similar package for the border state of Punjab. Mr. Badal
pointed out that it was the need of the hour to promote industry in a big way
because our agrarian economy had already reached a state of plateau adding the
Chief Minister said that he had little hope from centre to provide our industry
a level playing field but at the same time whatever little bit resources we
have with us the state government was committed to revive the glory of industry
in Punjab and it was reflective from the recently announced Industrial Policy
of the state.
On the occasion the Chief Minister also announced a
grant-in-aid of Rs one crore for the upcoming centre.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by former Union Minister
Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and his Additional Principal Secretary Mr. Sandeep
Hans.
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