‘Won with public mandate’

‘Won with public mandate’
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 23
The development path that the SAD-BJP government chose was the main reason for sweeping the Congress out during the Zila Parishad and Panchayat polls held recently in the state, said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today after laying foundations stones of various civic amenities projects in Bathinda and Mansa districts.
Unveiling the plan that envisaged the investments of Rs 206.86 crore for the projects related to water supply, sewerage and sewerage treatment plant, the CM assured that the projects would be completed within 18 months.
The CM was accompanied by local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia and SAD-chief Sukhbir Badal.
When asked about the reason for laying foundation stones of new projects while many past projects still lie untouched, he said, “Many of the previous projects, launched during the Congress regime, were fake as papers regarding the same were not submitted to the government.”
Refuting the allegations of high-handedness during the PRI polls process, the CM and Sukhbir lashed over PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for not accepting the public verdict.
While talking to media persons, the CM expressed deep concern over the poor state of the sewerage system in Maur Mandi, falling in Bathinda district. He further expressed his wish to develop the Bir Talab Zoo, Bathinda, so as to promote it at the national level. For the purpose, he said, chief conservator of forest and experts had been called.
Expressing ignorance, the CM dismissed the query related to a high-level meeting over the water sharing between Punjab and other states, which is believed to be held on May 27.
Taking concern of the menace of unchecked industrial waste being mixed in the Sirhind Canal, he said, “Meetings were continuously being held with the officers and the matter would also be put up in the meeting with the World Bank officials.”
Justifying the withdrawal of security to BJP minister Satpal Gosain and CLP chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Badal named some office-bearers belonging to the SAD (B), whose security was also decreased due to polls-related arrangements. Interestingly, throughout the press conference Manorajan Kalia and Kamal Sharma, the BJP leaders, remained tightlipped.