Shahpur (Jalandhar), December 4- Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today said that the decision to oppose the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector has been taken by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after duly considering the matter for safeguarding the interests of the common man.
Talking to the newsmen on the sidelines of the Sangat Darshan program of the Jalandhar Cantt assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that the party had deliberately decided to oppose this matter after detail consideration on it. He further said that there was no difference of opinion in the party on the matter rather the party was fully united to oppose the issue.
Reiterating the commitment of the party for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden sections of the society, Mr Badal said that during its current tenure the SAD-BJP has taken path breaking initiatives to safeguard the interests of these people. He said that it is for the first time in the history of the state that pro-poor policies have been framed by the state government to ensure that this neglected stratum of the society is benefited from the policies of the state government. The Chief Minister said that the focus of their government had been to deliver good governance to the people along with ensuring the welfare of poor people.
On a query regarding the allegations of political vendetta by the Congress leaders, the Chief Minister said that during present regime of the SAD-BJP alliance not even a single case has been registered against the political opponents out of political vengeance adding that throughout his political career he had been a votary of the morality in the public system and has always considered politics of vendetta as a ‘big blunder’. “Though my predecessor Captain Amarinder Singh had indulged in such actions but I have always refrained from it” he added.
When asked to comment about allocation of the party tickets to the aspirants for the coming assembly elections, the Chief Minister said that the allocation of tickets to the candidates would be done at the suitable time adding that the decision regarding it would be taken by the party. He also said that distribution of tickets would be done purely on merit and the Winnability, credibility along with contribution of aspirant and his family for the party would be duly considered.
Responding to a query regarding the problems faced by the potato growing farmers of the region, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP government was always ready for helping the peasantry of the state. However he said that it was very unfortunate that the attitude of the Union government on issues related with the farmers of state was very apathetic.
Earlier addressing the gathering during the Sangat Darshan program the Chief Minister said that unprecedented developmental works have been initiated by the state government during its present regime. He asked the people to support and co-operate the SAD-BJP alliance in the coming assembly polls so that defectors of the party could be taught a befitting lesson. He also asked the village panchayat to get priority power connections for religious places by contacting the officials of the POWERCOM. Likewise he also asked the Panchayats to pass resolutions for giving vacant lying Panchayat land to the poor and homeless people so that they could build their houses.
Earlier the Chief Minister also distributed 50 bicycles to school going girls under the “Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme”. He also disbursed a grant of Rs 4.36 crore for completing developmental works in 68 villages falling in Jalandhar Cantt assembly segment.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, Chairman MARKFED Mr Jarnail Singh Wahid and Chairman Schedule Caste Land Development and Finance Corporation Punjab Mr Pawan Tinu.
