BADAL CALLS ON PATIL, SEEKS PACKAGE FOR BORDER AREAS
New Delhi March 29:
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday called on Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and sought a Comprehensive Development Package for border areas in Punjab.
The Chief Minster also asked Patil to facilitate early interaction between the Governments of India and Pakistan on the proposed free corridor from Indo border to the historic and holy town of Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The corridor would allow devotees from India to visit the holy places connected with the life of Guru Nanak Dev without the mandatory visa. The Pak authorities had reportedly given their consent in principle to the proposal.
Disclosing this, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan Bains described the Union Home Minister's response as "extremely positive and helpful" and said that Badal raised the issue of development of 11 border towns, including a cantonment, in tune with modern town planning. He sought funds under Central schemes for improving water supply and sewerage system in these areas and said that the State had not got its due share in the ongoing schemes.
Badal also told the Union Home Minister that the Border Roads Development Authority needed to pay greater attention to the plight of infrastructure in the Punjab along the belt neighbouring Pakistan. The plight of roads and even pontoon bridges was 'pathetic'.
The Chief Minister also sought compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre per annum for farmers whose lands fall beyond the border fence as they had been facing major handicaps in the interest of the defense of the country. Badal also raised the issue of modernisation of the police force and said that the State should not be penalised for the failure of the previous regime headed by Captain Amarinder Singh to issue utilisation certificates on the central funds meant for the purpose.
He said that the present Government in Punjab had been prompt in certifying the usage of all central assistance. As a result of the failure of the previous Government, central funds for the purpose had been slashed by nearly 300 per cent. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for recruiting more female security staff for border areas in central security forces.
Badal asked Patil's to use his good offices to ensure early clearances for the proposed highway to link the holy City of Hemkunt Sahib with Punjab.
Source : Punjab Mail Online
New Delhi March 29:
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday called on Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and sought a Comprehensive Development Package for border areas in Punjab.
The Chief Minster also asked Patil to facilitate early interaction between the Governments of India and Pakistan on the proposed free corridor from Indo border to the historic and holy town of Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The corridor would allow devotees from India to visit the holy places connected with the life of Guru Nanak Dev without the mandatory visa. The Pak authorities had reportedly given their consent in principle to the proposal.
Disclosing this, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan Bains described the Union Home Minister's response as "extremely positive and helpful" and said that Badal raised the issue of development of 11 border towns, including a cantonment, in tune with modern town planning. He sought funds under Central schemes for improving water supply and sewerage system in these areas and said that the State had not got its due share in the ongoing schemes.
Badal also told the Union Home Minister that the Border Roads Development Authority needed to pay greater attention to the plight of infrastructure in the Punjab along the belt neighbouring Pakistan. The plight of roads and even pontoon bridges was 'pathetic'.
The Chief Minister also sought compensation of Rs 5,000 per acre per annum for farmers whose lands fall beyond the border fence as they had been facing major handicaps in the interest of the defense of the country. Badal also raised the issue of modernisation of the police force and said that the State should not be penalised for the failure of the previous regime headed by Captain Amarinder Singh to issue utilisation certificates on the central funds meant for the purpose.
He said that the present Government in Punjab had been prompt in certifying the usage of all central assistance. As a result of the failure of the previous Government, central funds for the purpose had been slashed by nearly 300 per cent. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for recruiting more female security staff for border areas in central security forces.
Badal asked Patil's to use his good offices to ensure early clearances for the proposed highway to link the holy City of Hemkunt Sahib with Punjab.
Source : Punjab Mail Online
