Punjab CM defends land transfer to RIL

Patiala, May 9 (UNI) Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh today defended the government's offer of premium land worth several hundred crores to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), saying it would help the Punjab farmers as RIL has assured to set up agricultural hubs across the state.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Capt Amarinder Singh said the government would hand over Rs 200 crore prime land in Mohali, to RIL free of cost in anticipaion of a helping hand by the RIL and such other big companies to take the farmers towards progress.

Defending the land transfer, he said there is nothing wrong in it as RIL would bring in an investment of upto Rs 2000 crore in the state in agri sector alone.

Giving an example, Capt Singh said West Bengal Chief Minister Budh Dev Bhattacharjee had also offered land to multi-national and Indian companies worth Rs 1000 crore.

He was here to welcome the induction of ex- president of Youth Akali Dal, Patiala, Kulwinder Singh Lovely, in the Congress.

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