Punjab govt not to reserve jobs for ''Punjabis''

Chandigarh, Mar 10 (UNI) The Punjab government today refused to reserve jobs for bonafide residents of the state in construction works or industrial units set up in the private sector.

''There is no such proposal of fixing the quota for labourers from Punjab in construction works of the state government such as bridges, roads or buildings as well as in big industrial units in the private sector,'' Labour Minister Tikshan Sood told the Punjab Assembly here today.

Replying to a question by Mr Iqbal Singh Jhundan (Ind) during the Question Hour, the Minister pointed out that this could create problems for a large number of Punjabis who were employed outside the state.

''We do not want to create problems for them (Punjabis),'' he said while rejecting the members demand, who pointed out that only 20 per cent of Punjabis were employed in industrial units and construction jobs in the state.

The Minister also rejected Mr Charanjit Singh Channi's (Ind) demand for framing law to check labourers from other states from purchasing property in the state.

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