Punjab Congress has welcomed and thanked the UPA Government for interest waiver of Rs. 2728 Crores on central loan taken by the state for combating terrorism.
Punjab Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mrs.. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in a statement here today said that the party during its previous regime had been pursuing and pleading for long to waive of the amount which was pending by way of interest on the loan taken by Punjab state to contain the monster of terrorism which prevailed in the state for over a decade. She said that whenever Congress government was formed at the center, the interest of Punjab and other state were in safe hands. This gesture of interest waiver shows that UPA Government has always rendered helping hand to Punjab without any discrimination. Previously, Punjab had been given more than 37 various developments projects worth Rs. 50,000 Crores.
Mrs. Bhattal emphasized that 10th five year plan which was approved by NDA Government, of which SAD-BJP were partners, during the year 2002-07, Punjab was allocated Rs. 5240.80 Crores under centrally sponsored schemes. Whereas during the 11th plan approved by UPA Government, in the year 2007-12, Rs. 14382 Crores would be provided. She averred that this three fold increase in five year plan allocation stands testimony to the generosity of the central government led by UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Mrs. Bhattal called upon the SAD-BJP Government to bring a resolution in the House during the budget session gracefully, thanking the UPA Central Government for interest waiver of Rs. 2728 Crores.