Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would undertake a whirlwind tour in the rain affected waterlogged areas of Mansa, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts from September 13 to 15 to reach out to people in distress and assure proper compensation awards.
Badal made this announcement on Thursday while talking to the media persons on the first day of his two-day Sangat Darshan program in Talwandi Sabo assembly constituency.
He said that the visit to flood affected areas would be aimed at “getting first-hand information of losses incurred, hastening the pace of rescue operations wherever needed, ensuring that the people in areas get adequate civil supplies and food and that the girdawari is soon conducted to assess damage to crops and land”.
On the issue of Congress’ demand for white paper on the state’s financial position, Badal said that before raising any such demand, the Congress should introspect to ascertain the reasons which forced its leaders to lick the dust even in their own home constituencies.
Hopeful of an amicable solution on Ranjit Sagar Dam
On the impending issue of Ranjit Sagar Dam with Jammu and Kashmir, Badal said that Punjab was open for settling the matter amicably.
“J&K government is pre-occupied in mitigating the flood disaster and even we also don’t want to disturb them at this critical juncture. This contentious matter would be soon resolved harmoniously,” he said.
Ready to forge alliance to defeat Congress
Talking about partnering with Indian National lok Dal (INlD) for Haryana assembly elections, Badal said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was ready to forge alliance with parties which were “willing to form anti-Congress government”. “The SAD-BJP has very intimate and cordial ties with each other and even this is the oldest alliance in the country, which is religiously followed by both the parties,” said Badal.