ALLEGATION: Manish Tewari alleges Punjab Govt following wrong economic policies

Ludhiana, January 5, 2013: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (Independent Charge) Manish Tewari has said that the Union Government never discriminates with any Non-Congress ruled State. Congress Party believes that the all round development of the country can make India progress to become a developed nation.

Tewari made the observations while addressing a large gathering after laying the foundation stone of a link road at Pohir in Ludhiana district today. This 13.7 K.Ms long road is being built at an estimated cost of about Rs. 8 crore.

Tewari said the Union Government has sanctioned more than Rs. 40 crore for various link roads in Ludhiana under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna at his sole initiative and efforts. He said that UPA Government was taking care of development of agriculture and industries in the state and that is why an International level Research and Development Institute has been set up for wheat and maize at Ladowal in Ludhiana.

The Union Minister said that due to wrong economic policies of the Punjab Government, the state is under the burden of Rs. 75,000 crore debt, due to which the state government is even unable to pay salaries and pensions.

Tewari questioned under this situation how the state government can manage funds for the development. He said that the Punjab Government is making false claims of development whereas the law and order situation has deteriorated and the economic health has worsened.

He said all development works in Punjab are being executed with the help of funds provided by the Union Government and the state government is wrongly taking the credit for the same.

Tewari said the UPA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is releasing huge funds for all the states under various welfare and development schemes including MGNREGA, SSA, Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Rural Development.

He appealed to the Punjab Government to spend the Central funds for the welfare of the people of Punjab and abjure the policy of vote bank politics.