Chandigarh, Feb 28 – Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Mr. Sunil Jakhar described the budget presented by the Punjab government as developmental budget and said that its benefit would be available to all sections of the society. It would give new direction to Punjab, he said.
In a statement issued here today, Mr. Jakhar said that the budget would boost agriculture, skills development, industry, investment and infrastructure. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh had made great efforts to bring economy on track.
Jakhar said on the one side, the government announced 6 per cent DA to government employees and on the other side it has created opportunity for more employment by deciding to withdraw the increase in service time. He said that the state government would promote new varieties of citruse along with the establishment of fruit estates to promote horticulture.
He said that the government had decided to set up a veterinary college at a cost of Rs. 62 crore at village Sappanwali in Abohar. Rs 14 crore has been reserved for agricultural colleges in Gurdaspur and Balachor, he added.
He said that the government has set aside Rs 50 crore on the renovation of sugar mills in Gurdaspur and Batala. Nineteen new ITIs will be established for the skill training of the youth. Rs. 3,000 crore would be spent under the Smart Village Scheme.
Speaking on the protests by the Shiromani Akali Dal about the budget, Mr. Jakhar asked the SAD to take a look at the performance made during its 10 year tenure. He said that SAD is responsible for this economical condition of Punjab.
