CONGRESS HAS CONCEDED DEFEAT EVEN BEFORE LOK SABHA ELECTORAL BATTLE - SUKHBIR

Jaura Chittran (Gurdaspur), November 1: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that admission of Punjab Pardesh Congress Chief Capt. Amarinder Singh that Congress is set to loose 11 out 13 Lok Sabha seats is a meek

surrender even before entering the electoral battle.

Accompanied by Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue Minister, Mr. Badal was answering the queries of media persons before addressing a mammoth gathering 55^th Baba Bhurewala Sports and Cultural Fair here today. He said that the leakage of survey report was a tactical move by Capt. Amarinder Singh to convey a message to Congress High Command that they should not expect too many seats from Punjab so that he could escape the aftermath of sure shot poll debacle. Mr. Badal said that he was slightly in disagreement with Congress survey as according to his own estimates Congress party is set to loose all 13 seats, creating a new history in Punjab.

Rubbishing the Bhattal’s statement regarding mid term poll as Mungeri Lal Ke Hasin Sapne, Mr. Badal said that at present Congress leadership in Punjab have understood the fact that Congress party would not return in power in Punjab during their lifetime and by making such statements they are just trying to raise the morale of rapidly diminishing cadre of their party. He said that because Congress leadership was detached from the grass roots that is why they were making such imaginary statements without knowing the pulse of the people.

When asked about slow lifting of the paddy from procurement centres, the Deputy Chief Minister said that out of 2.28 lac MT arrival everyday 1.5 lac MT was being lifted and being shifted to rice mills and some lifting was being affected due to blacklisting of 1226 rice mills. He said that Principal Secretary to Chief Minister was personally monitoring the procurement operations and Punjab government has already tied up Rs.20000 crore to make payment to farmers within 48 hours. He said that 95 lac tonne paddy has already been procured and Punjab was hopeful of surpassing the target of 130 lac MT.

When asked about shortage of sand and gravels, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was strictly following the instructions of Supreme Court for seeking environment clearance for mining. He said that Union Environment Ministry was keeping the files of environment clearance pending for six months creating the whole problem.

Replying another query the Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to check the menace of drug trafficking strong handedly. He pointed out that out of the total drug recoveries in the country 70% were being made by the Punjab Police. He said that Punjab being a border state was bearing the brunt of international drug trafficking route as the borders were under the direct control of Central Forces and they were failed in sealing the border to check the flow of drugs.

Later addressing a mammoth gathering, Mr. Badal said that the brave and intelligent people of Punjab have created a history by giving repeat mandate to SAD-BJP government committed for the overall development of the state and promised to take Punjab in the higher orbit of development in next 4 years. He said that Rs.8750 crores were being spent on providing world class basic infrastructure in the urban areas of state with focus on ensuring 100% drinking water and sewerage coverage. He informed that state government has chalked out an ambitious plan of Rs.10000 crore for development of rural areas on urban pattern. He said that under this programme around Rs.100 crore would be spent on various development works with special stress on creation of quality infrastructure in each assembly constituency. He said that within next 3 years every city and town of the state would be connected with 4 lane roads and Punjab would be the first power surplus state in the country in next one year.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Former Cabinet Minister,Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, and Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, both Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Mr. lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, former MLA.