Punjab is No one state in India Today Conclave

Chandigarh, Sep 14 (UNI) Punjab did itself proud emerging as the overall the Number One state in the country at the 5th India Today State of States Conclave-2007 at New Delhi today.

Punjab scored on all the major parameters of growth and development including management of macro economy, agriculture, infrastructure development and consumerism.

While Punjab stayed well ahead of all other states in agriculture, consumerism and infrastructure development, the special prize it got in management of macro economy added a fresh dimension to the national perception on governance here.

Receiving the awards from Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal dedicated the achievements to "the will, the sacrifices and the hard work of the people of Punjab".

"Although the qualifying the criterion was based on the dynamics governance, there should be no doubt in anybodies mind that it is only the people of Punjab who have braved great odds to emerge at the top," the Chief Minister said at the Conclave.

Congratulating the people of Punjab for this great honor, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said that it would further boost the morale of the government to deliver an efficient and transparent governance as per the aspirations of the people. He said that Punjab was all set to do a turn-around in the financial scenario to ensure balanced and steady growth in the state.

UNI