Bansal rules out special package for Punjab

Jalandhar, Oct 16 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Finance (Banking, Expenditure and Insurance) Pawan Kumar Bansal has ruled out possibility of special package for Punjab but said that the state is getting fair deal so far as investment and development projects are concerned.

Talking to reporters here today Mr Bansal said that there was misconcept among people about special package as it did not mean handing over of bale of currency notes or any thing.

He said that any package is meant for paving way for development of the state and welfare of the people and on this count Punjab had been getting fair deal from the UPA Government at the Centre.

He said that several mega development and welfare projects, including special railway freight corridor up to Ludhiana, involving investment in several thousand crore rupees had been sanctioned to the state by the present government at the Centre.

In reply to question about special package for farmers of the state on lines of one granted to some southern states, Mr Bansal said that only Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could reply this question.

Mr Banswal arrived here this afternoon to participate in a programme at the DAV College campus here.

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