70 % rural popultion deprived of facilities, says Badal

Hoshiarpur, Oct 29 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that 70 per cent population in rural areas was deprived of various facilities given to people due to the "wrong" policies of the Centre.

Addressing a rally at Dhuga Kalan village, 35 Km from here today, he said that during preparation of schemes by the Central government for rural areas, problems confronting the inhabitants were not considered seriously. On account of this reason the benefit of these schemes did not reach the poor, he said.

Mr Badal pointed out that the Congress had governed the country for the maximum period after independence, but the country was still lagging behind in education, health services, potable water supply and generation of employment etc.

An economic survey had shown that out of the total population, the daily income of 60 per cent families was still Rs 20 per day, he added.

He said in order to improve the economic condition of people of Punjab, the State Government would soon prepare a comprehensive plan very shortly.

Referring to the shortage of drinking water in Kandi areas of the state, the Chief Minister said that his government with the help of World Bank had prepared a scheme in which 5 per cent share of the total cost of the project in Kandi and Bet areas and 10 per cent in other areas had to be provided by the concerned Panchyat and remaining would be borne by the government.

He appealed to Sarpanchs to get benefit of this scheme to provide potable water to the inhabitants in their respective villages.

He said that keeping in view the production of maize crop in Kandi area, the state government would demand fixation of minimum support price for maize by the centre.

The Chief Minister assured that keeping in view the difficulties of farmers of the Kandi, the Forest Act was being amended for their benefit.

To provide job opportunities to the unemployed youths, he said the state government was making efforts for providing job oriented education and practical training to them so that they started earning their livelihood soon after the completion of their studies.

The Chief Minister instructed officers of his Government to pay due respect to those visiting their offices, listen their problems with patience and solve them at the earliest.

He said that regular complaints were being received that due respect was not given to the public and SAD workers by some of the officers, which had tarnished the image of his government.

UNI