Punjab''s growth figures falsify Amarinder''s claim: Sukhbir

Barnala (PB), Jan 19 (PTI) Deputy Chief MinisterSukhbir Singh Badal today slammed state Congress for accusingthe Badals of pushing the state to bankruptcy, saying 8.8 percent growth of the state against the national average of 7.4per cent, as calculated officially, disproved the claims.

Badal was speaking to the media persons before payingtributes to freedom fighter Shaheed Sewa Singh Thikriwala herein Thikriwala village.

Now that the Central Statistical Organisation, acentral body, has released the growth figures, Amrinder mustapologize to the people of Punjab for deliberately misleadingthem, Badal said.

He said it was noteworthy that Punjab has registered17.9 per cent growth rate in industrial sector, despite beingsurrounded by hill states enjoying tax holidays and sops.

On Amrinder''s comment accusing the government ofrunning on debt, Badal said the Congress leader was trying todistract public attention from the achievements of the SAD-BJPcombine government.

On about NRI summit, Badal said the basic purpose ofthe meet was to solve the problems of the expats, besidesinforming them on new governance reforms in Punjab.

Badal said the state government has set up ahigh-powered cell headed by the IGP to provide aid to bridesdeserted by their NRI husbands after marriage.

The state Government would soon recruit 10000 teachersafter getting clearance from High Court, he said.