Amarinder calls RIL controversy "unnecessary"

Jalandhar, June 3 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today termed the protests and controversy over the proposed agro project of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) as ''undue and unnecessary''.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Punjab Press Club here, Mr Singh said this was a revolutionary project which would bring total transformation in the rural life of the state.

He said under the project, RIL would not only set up agro marketing and processing hubs in different parts of the state but, it would also set up primary health centres, schools, credit facilities, entertainment establishments, theatres and other facilities.

He said that certain sections created an unnecessary controversy merely for the sake of opposition. The people of the state are by and large in favour of this project, he claimed.

He said the Punjab Cabinet would accord its clearance to the project at its meeting next week.

Expressing satisfaction over the overall development of the state, the Chief Minister said that during the past 18 months, his government had succeeded in attracting investment of Rs 73,000 crore. '' Our target by the end of this year is to bring in another Rs 30,000 crore investment'', he added.

He said that Tata, IPC and Munjal Group of Industries are also willing to invest in Punjab.

He announced a grant of Rs 20 lakh to the press club for strengthening its infrastructure facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, former Rajya Sabha member and Chief Editor of Ajit Group of Newspapers Barjinder Singh Hamdard called upon the journalists to discharge their duties sincerely and keeping in mind their social and national responsibilities.

Punjab Ministers Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Avtar Henry and Mohinder Singh Kaypee, MP Rana Gurjit Singh and a galaxy of dignitaries from political and media spheres were present.

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