Talwandi Sabo: Listing pro-poor schemes initiated by his government, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday said Punjab was on a high growth trajectory due to the initiatives taken by the SAD-BJP alliance.
Addressing a gathering here, he said people of the state had benefited immensely through various state government schemes such as 'Atta-Dal' and 'Shagun'.
"The government has taken a slew of measures to put the state on a high growth trajectory. Due to the strenuous efforts of the SAD-BJP alliance government, Punjab is charting a new success story everyday," he said.
The Chief Minister also hailed the NDA government at the Centre for allocating prestigious projects such as All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Post Graduate Horticulture Research and Educational Institute to the state.
"In a short span of its rule, the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given several key projects to the state... This is for the first time ever since independence that a Union government has given such key projects to Punjab," he said, adding that the state is likely to receive many more such projects in the future.
Badal further said that THE NDA government by taking decisions such as setting up a SIT to probe the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage and to give compensation to its victims had proved that it recognised the contribution of Punjabis.
"This demonstrates a special concern of the NDA government for the patriotic people of Punjab, which must be appreciated by one and all," Badal added.
Meanwhile, he said that Sri Amritsar Sahib, considered to be the holy city of Punjab, has been chosen as a heritage city under the 'HRIDAY' scheme, which would ensure flow of central assistance worth hundred crore of rupees for its development.
Likewise, Badal said Jallianwala Bagh has been included amongst 'Cultural World Heritage Site' to receive special assistance for improving the infrastructure.
In his address, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir
Singh Badal assailed Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for unleashing a "malicious campaign" to defame hardworking and resilient Punjabis.
He accused Rahul and Congress of hatching a conspiracy to tarnish the image of Punjabis by labeling them as drug addicts. "Whereas, the fact is Punjab is fighting the nation's war against drug," he said.
"Punjab has checked the drug flow from across the border. Thereby saving millions of youth from the scourge of drugs," Sukhbir added.
Hitting out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), he said some parties try to mislead people through their populist slogans but they later turn out to be 'water bubbles' which burst with the passage of time.
"AAP is one such party which has failed to deliver anything to the people. Announcements such as free water to people and end of VVIP culture have failed to turn into a reality," he said.
He urged people not to get swayed away by the "misleading campaign" and instead join hands with the SAD for ensuring progress of the state and prosperity of its people.
"Whether it is (Partap Singh) Bajwa or Amarinder (Singh) or AAP, none of them are concerned about Punjab. On the other hand, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has dedicated his entire life for the welfare of Punjab and Punjabis," he said.
Earlier, in her address, Union Minister for Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal urged people to save the girl child by shunning the practice of female foeticide.
