KHANNA: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that once the SAD formed the government in Punjab it would give both Khanna and Jagraon the status of districts.
Disclosing this while addressing a huge rally here as part of the party’s Punjab Bachao campaign along with Yadwinder Singh Yadu, the SAD president said “I am committed to honouring the demand of the people of this area who want their towns to be turned into districts to boost their economies as well as ensure easy redressal of grievances”.
The SAD president also announced that the Khanna grain market, which was Asia’s largest such market, would be modernized. “At present both the infrastructure as well as facilities available in the market are not up to the mark”. He also announced that the party once it forms the government would endeavour to raise the commission on wheat and paddy, which was recently capped at 1.5 per cent, to 2.5 per cent being given during S Parkash Singh Badal govt. “This is necessary as once the livelihood of the Arhatiyas is threatened the farmers too will feel the pinch”.
Speaking about his vision for the State, Mr Sukhbir Badal said the SAD was committed to bringing the IT industry to Punjab in a big way. “We have identified Mohali and Amritsar as cities most suitable for inviting investment in the IT sector. Both have the required skill set for establishment of this sector on the lines of Bangalore and Hyderabad besides modern infrastructure, including airports”.
Mr Badal also asserted that the SAD stood for development of the border districts of Punjab as well as its Kandi belt. “We feel a special industrial package alone can develop both these regions. Besides benefitting the economies in these areas, new industry will ensure much needed employment to our youth. We will also ensure that at least 75 per cent of jobs in these new industries are reserved for Punjabi youth”, he added.
The SAD president also condemned chief minister Bhagwant Mann for passing disparaging comments against women on the occasion of International Womens Day. He said it was shocking that a chief minister could indulge in character assassination of women in public at an official function.