Punjab: Rs 126 cr development plan for border areas

Pathankot, June 17 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today unveiled a Rs 126 crore plan for integrated development of border districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Taran Taran and Ferozepur.

Speaking at a state-level function to mark 468th anniversary of Maharana Pratap, the Chief Minister said that due to geographical and other reasons the development of border areas remained neglected during the last six decades.

He said these areas could not attract much investment in the industrial sector due to repeated Indo-Pak wars.

Mr Badal said that now the government had chalked out an integrated plan for the border districts under which during the current financial year, 18 blocks of the four districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur would be covered.

Each block would be given Rs seven crore for the development of the area.

The Chief Minister said the main objective of the plan was to meet special developmental needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border.

Mr Badal asked the MLAs present on the occasion to prepare a blue print of the blocks falling within their Assembly constituencies for the overall development.

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