Asserting that Punjab has sought its legitimate right of financial package from the Centre as it fought the nation’s war against terrorism and was still suffering the pains of that period, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Friday said that he would call upon the Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister soon.
Regarding financial package to the State, Sukhbir said Punjab has been demanding its “legitimate right” as Special Economic Assistance from the Centre, which is a reasonable demand of the State and it should be unconditionally fulfilled.
“Punjab had suffered a lot during the militancy period and was still suffering the pains of that period…War against terrorism was a nation’s war fought by Punjab for the security and integrity of the country,” said Sukhbir, who was accompanied by his wife and Union Cabinet Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and paid obeisance at the Golden Temple.
He said that soon the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and he, himself, would call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for sympathetically considering State’s demand.
Sukhbir pointed that Punjab was also lagging behind on economic fronts due to massive tax concessions provided to hilly states and now it should also be included in that category. He said that it was the Congress which was behind the false propaganda of State’s fiscal health.
Sukhbir added that the Congress leadership should know the fact that in Congress regime, from 2002-2007, the debt ratio of Punjab was 45 per cent and the SAD-BJP Government had brought it down to 31 per cent.
“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 Sukhbir adding that our demand of special economic package is State’s right.
About delay in inauguration of Bathinda Airport, he said that the Airport was fully ready to become operational.
He said that Punjab has sought time from the Union Aviation Minister for inauguration of the airport and it would become operational in a few months. “The UPA Government deliberately created obstacles in making this airport functional….Punjab is taking up the issue of expansion of ludhiana Airport so that international flights could land there,” he added.