Badal to seek fiscal package for border areas

Chandigarh, Jun 10 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will meet the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in New Delhi tomorrow to push for a special development package for blocks bordering Pakistan.

He would present a detailed case for the development of education, health and road-infrastructure, besides seeking special funds for sewerage, water supply and power transmission projects along the border areas.

Chief Minister's Media Advisor, Harcharan Bains told mediapersons here that a detailed report on various development ventures to be undertaken in the border blocks, would be submitted to the Centre. Mr Badal would also press for compensation to farmers whose land was being used by the BSF or other security forces for defence purposes.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister today approved a plan of Rs 151.64 crore for Valtoha Block in Amritsar district.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in this connection here today.

The Chief Minister has also asked the Deputy Commissioners of the border districts to prepare a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of people of border areas. This would include bestowing ownership rights on farmers and tillers of government land they had been cultivating over the years.

UNI HS BDP AS2237