State fast losing its clout at Centre, says Patiala MP

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 6

Punjab has not only become a sluggishly growing state in the country but its losing its clout at the Centre.

Holding CM Parkash Singh Badal responsible for the downfall of the state, CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi said the insignificant ministries had been given to Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Vijay Sampla. In UPA’s reign under Dr Manmohan Singh, the state enjoyed a lot of clout and Punjab’s presence always remained significant. Right from Ambika Soni, Ashwani Kumar, Manohar Singh Gill, Manish Tiwari, Perneet Kaur and Santosh Chaudary, all remained Ministers from time to time. Some of them held important portfolios.

However, now the state has just a token representation in the Union government, said Channi. Politicians from Punjab had been holding top portfolios such as Home, External Affairs and so on, he added. “Food Processing is just a small off-shoot of Agriculture and there is no independent charge of Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry”, said Channi.

He said that the SAD-BJP government should explain to the people this diminishing clout of the state at the national level and otherwise. Punjab had been facing a difficulty to get the cash credit limit released for the procurement of paddy and wheat whereas it did not face any such problem during the Congress government. The limit used to be sanctioned and released well in advance in those days, he added.

“The state is getting routine allocation like other states for building national highways, etc”, said Channi. The Vajpayee government had caused incalculable damage to the state’s industrial base by giving special concessions to hill states to promote industry.

Speaking on similar lines the Aam Aadmi Party MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi said “Punjab does not deserve such a treatment from the Centre. The State has been acting as bulwark for the defense of the country. It has played a pivotal role to make the country self- dependent in food security. It deserves preferential treatment in every sphere”, said Dr Gandhi. He said CM Badal should speak loud and clear without any political hesitation to protect the interest of the state and urge the Centre to give it its due.