Lalu agrees to undertake railway projects in Punjab : Badal

Ludhiana, Jun 1 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said Ralway Minister Lalu Prasad has agreed to undertake a number of projects in the state with speed.

Talking to newspersons after the 'Bhumi Pujjan' of ISKCON (International society for Krishna Consciousness) Temple at Birmi village in this district, he said Ludhiana Railway Station would be upgraded to international standards.

He said work on a number of over-bridges would be started on the Mour-Rama stretch by the Railways as the state government had already completed the work on its part.

Replying to a question regarding severe shortage of diesel at the outlets of different oil companies, Mr Badal said that confusing policy of the Central government was responsible for this shortage as it gave hints of price increase through the media. This sent wrong signal and people started panic buying.

The Chief Minister, however, said he was issuing directions to the Deputy commissioners and Food and Supply department to take immediate action in case any dealer made fortunes from the shortage by hoarding the commodity.

To another question regarding the demand of Congress for deputing Central forces for the coming elections to Local bodies, he said the opposition party leaders were raising such issues just out of frustration, seeing their clear defeat in the elections.

He said in the Assembly by election to Amritsar (South) constituency, which was held under the supervision of central forces, the SAD candidate had won the election with higher margin.

UNI VKJ SP VC1832