Chandigarh, March 15, Punjab Congress has called upon the SAD-BJP Government to bring a resolution in the House during the ensuing budget session for expressing thanks to the UPA Government for interest waiver of Rs. 2728 Crores on central loan taken by the state for combating militancy.
Welcoming and thanking the Central Government, Punjab Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in a statement here today said that the party during its previous regime in the state had been pursuing and pleading since long to waive off the amount which was pending by way of interest on the loan taken by Punjab state to contain terrorism which ruled the roost for over a decade. She said that whenever Congress government was formed at the center, the interests of Punjab and other states were in safe hands. This gesture of interest waiver shows that UPA Government has always rendered helping hand to Punjab without any discrimination of any sort. Previously, Punjab had been given more than 37 various developments projects worth Rs. 50,000 Crores.
Mrs. Bhattal emphasized that 10th five year plan (2002-07) which was approved by NDA Government, of which SAD-BJP were partners, Punjab was allocated Rs. 5240.80 Crores under centrally sponsored schemes. Whereas during the 11th plan (2007-12) approved by UPA Government, Rs. 14382 Crores have been 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.