Badal blames Cong for damaging economy of Punjab

Ludhiana, Sep 15 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the policies of the Congress governmenmts at the Centre had done much damage to the economy of the state.

Addressing a political conference organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at the historic Chhappar Mela at Chappar village near here said the development and economies of states were directly linked to the policies of the Union Government as the states had negligible powers to decide major issues.

He said the Congress governments at the Centre had given special concessions to the industries in the neighbouring states, which resulted in the flight of industry from Punjab.

The Chief Minister lambasting the UPA-government for adopting discriminatory approach towards the farmers of the state, who had bailed out the country from the food crisis by contributing around 60 per cent wheat in the national food pool this year. He said it was a cruel joke on the farmers that the Central government had fixed Rs 850 per quintal as MSP for paddy in the coming season, which was even much below Rs 1000 per quintal recommended by Agriculture Costs and Prices Commission.

He said to ensure the acceleration of developmental activities and ensure prosperity in Punjab, a like-minded government must be installed at Centre by throwing out the UPA government in the next Lok Sabha elections.

SAD president Sukhbir Badal and several other senior leaders of SAD also addressed the gathering.

UNI HS BDP CS1930