Punjab Land Preservation Act has hit development: Badal

Ropar, Oct 4 (UNI) The Punjab Government will approach the Union Government to seek the exemption of the 'Kandi' belt bordering Himachal Pradesh from the ambit of Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).

The PLPA had effected the overall development of the sub mountainous 'kandi' belt as there is a ban on tree felling and forest clearance in this area, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal stated today.

Addressing a gathering at Sarai Pattan after laying the foundation stone of the 675.04 meter long bridge over the Satluj to be built at a cost of Rs 56.70 crore, Mr Badal said that even the basic civic amenities of drinking water, sewerage, electricity, irrigation, road network could not be provided to the residents of the 'kandi' belt due to the PLPA.

He said that he had already constituted core groups comprising the MLAs from the 'Kandi' and 'Bet' areas (adjoining rivers) along with the Administrative Secretaries of the respective departments to take stock of the problems of these areas and suggest remedial measures to overcome hardships. On the basis of the consolidated report of these core groups the Centre would be approached for seeking additional funds to tackle the problems in a result oriented manner on the pattern of the exclusive grants meant for the Border Area Development Programme.

The Chief Minister also stated that the Centre had agreed in principle to grant approval for the construction of rural roads in the 'Kandi' area under Pardhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana at par with hilly areas.

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