CM hopes that NDA government would take care of interests of the farmers

Dera Bassi (SAS Nagar), March 24, 2015: Reiterating the firm commitment of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to safeguard the interests of the farmers, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed hope that the NDA government at centre would watch the interests ‘food growers’ of the nation while amending the ‘Land Acquisition Bill’.

Interacting with the media persons after inaugurating newly built students centre at Government College Dera Bassi here today, the Chief Minister said that he had urged the Union government to ensure adequate compensation, consent and rehabilitation of the farmers before acquiring even an inch of their land. Mr. Badal said that even the NDA government would take care of the interests of the farmers, while amending the ‘Land Acquisition Bill’, in the larger interest of the nation. Citing the example of the state government, he said that in Punjab the farmers had been fully compensated whenever any land had been acquired for development. “Ever since assuming power in 2007 we have been pursuing a pro-farmer policy of land acquisition, which is a role model for the entire country” he added.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that in a short span of its rule the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given several key projects to the state, which would be instrumental in putting the state further on high growth trajectory. He said that Sri Amritsar Sahib the holy city of the state has been chosen as heritage city under the HRIDAY scheme, which would ensure flow of central assistance worth hundred crores of Rupees for its development. Likewise, Badal said that Jallianwala Bagh has been included amongst Cultural World Heritage Site to receive special assistance for improving the infrastructure.

The Chief Minister also hailed the NDA government for allocating prestigious projects like All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Post Graduate Horticulture Research and Educational Institute. He further said that this was for the first time ever since independence that a Union government has given such key projects to the state. “This demonstrates a special concern of the NDA government for the patriotic people of Punjab, which must be appreciated by one and all” added Badal.

Earlier addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister listed the path breaking initiatives taken by the state government for developing the education sector in the state. He said that the state government has accorded top priority to the education sector so that students could be imparted quality education in Punjab. Badal also announced that the state government would soon commence the batch of post graduate classes from the Government College, Dera Bassi. He also said that the state government was spending Rs 227 crore for the renovation and upgradation of the 41 government colleges across the state.

Later, the Chief Minister also felicitated the prominent dignitaries including eminent Punjabi singer Gurdas Mann.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Parliamentary Secretary NK Sharma, Chairman District Planning Committee Patiala Deepinder Singh Dhillon, his Special Principal Secretary Dr. S Karunaraju and Deputy Commissioner TPS Sidhu.