Amarinder asks for special economic package for Punjab

Amritsar, Mar 24 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a special economic package for the overall development of the border state.

Capt Singh called upon the PM to release funds under the special economic package, a request for which has been submitted to the Union Government, to fill in the critical gaps in infrastructure to restore confidence in the prospective investors.

He made this request while welcoming the PM to the Holy City for flagging off the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib bus. Addressing a public gathering before the flagging off ceremony, he expressed his gratitude to the PM for commencing the bus service which was a positive step in strengthening Indo-Pak relations to boost bilateral ties.

He urged the Dr Singh to speed up the initiatives for the opening of trade through Wagah on a high scale to enable the people living in the border belt to strengthen their economic position. He thanked the Prime Minister for sanctioning Rs 72 crore to complete the Galliara Project around the Sri Harimandir Sahib.

Appreciating the PM's announcement of Rs 48 crore grant for the completion of Khalsa Heritage Project at Sri Anandpur Sahib, he also lauded Dr Singh for granting Rs 100 crore for Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, establishing Indian Institute of Science, sanctioning high speed railway corridor from Somnagar to Ludhiana and allocation of 1500 MWs of power to Punjab from a super thermal power station in Chhattisgarh and 1200 MWs of power from other five super thermal power stations in the country.

The CM also praised the PM for establishing a centre of research on Sri Guru Granth Sahib studies in Guru Nanak Dev University.

Refering to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project to be set up here. He said that this would propel the trade and business activities in the border districts thereby generating a tremendous employment potential for the youth.

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