PM charges Punjab govt with ignoring development
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said all political parties should now get over personal interests and contribute to pass the Lokpal bill. He reiterating his party’s commitment for a strong Lokpal bill.
He said the Congress believes in transparent governance and will continue its efforts to check corruption in the country. “I am very confident that in near future, we will have a strong Lokpal”, added the Prime Minister.
Addressing his first rally in Punjab, the PM charged the ruling SAD-BJP of ignoring development.
“I have spent the initial days of my life in Punjab, first as a student and then as a teacher. I am happy to be here, but I am saddened as well. The incumbent regime has failed to tread the path of development,” he said. The PM said Punjab now lags behind even neighbouring Haryana and has slipped in the last five years. He said the ruling party was taking undue credit for much of the work carried out in the state under Central assistance. Central funds running into several crores have not been appropriately utilized and have not percolated into benefits for the poor.
Terming his party as a party of the ‘aam aadmis’, he asked the voters to compare between the Congress rule from 2002-07 and the current SAD-BJP rule in Punjab, before casting their vote on January 30.
“The Punjab government has failed on all fronts. Punjab is saddled with a debt of Rs 1.20 Lakh crores,” he said. He added, Punjab hospitals don’t have doctors, staff and paramedics. The shortage of power has discouraged the growth of industry, the PM asserted. The PM said there are 47 lakh unemployed youth in Punjab which is a serious cause of concern.
