Badal wants inclusion of Punjab issues in NDA's poll agenda

Chandigarh, Mar 29 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents to include Punjab specific issues, including a package of industrial concession to the state, in its agenda for the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll.

Participating in a national meet of the chief ministers of the NDA ruled states in New Delhi, Mr Badal said that while Punjab did not oppose any concessions given to any state, but it wanted parity with packages extended to Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

"Punjab's industries desperately need a package along those lines.

Also, the people of the state deserve special consideration as they had to bear the brunt of an active international border," said Mr Badal.

Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains, told mediapersons after the meeting that Mr Badal also raised the issue of the preservation, promotion and growth of the Punjabi language in states which had sizeable Punjabi population.

He requested Uttrakhand Chief Minister Major Gen (Retd) B C Khanduri to "personally" monitor the progress on providing a modern and wide road linkage between Punjab and Hemkunt Sahib.

Mr Badal had already approached the Central Government for securing a regular helipad near the holy shrine of Hemkunt Sahib.

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