Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann seeks package from Centre to improve state's financial health
New Delhi, March 22: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. It was his first meeting with PM Modi after being elected the CM of Punjab.
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Bhagwant Mann urged PM Narendra Modi to release Rs 50,000 crore package per year for two years to improve the state's financial health, which is facing severe crisis.
“We need the support of the Centre to maintain national security. Punjab's financial condition is in doldrums. We've demanded Rs 50,000 crore package per year for two years to improve the state's financial situation,” said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after his meeting with PM Modi.
Pointing out further, Bhagwant Mann said his government on its own would also strive hard to fill the empty coffers by completely wiping out the mafia from the state. He also mentioned that Punjabis have made enormous sacrifices for country’s independence and even now valiant Punjabi soldiers are protecting the borders from internal and external aggression to safeguard nation’s integrity and sovereignty.
Raising another sensitive issue of national security in context of Punjab being a border state, Bhagwant Mann also solicited wholehearted support from Government of India to foil the attempts of inimical forces across the border, which is well equipped with the latest techniques. He, however, assured the Prime Minister that Punjab would also provide all necessary assistance to the Centre in this regard and also requested it to furnish the latest and hi-tech infrastructure to our state forces for anti-insurgency operations.
Terming the outcome of his maiden meeting with Prime Minister after assuming the charge as Chief Minister as positive, Bhagwant Mann said the former promised all possible support and complete cooperation to make Punjab a vibrant state (rangla Punjab). Bhagwant Mann said, “If Punjab make rapid strides of development then India would also eventually prosper”. Quoting few lines from the poem of legendary poet Prof. Mohan Singh, Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab was like a stone studded in the ring of India. He lamented that this stone (Punjab) had gradually lost its sheen with the passage of time due to people’s ill conceived decisions to elect certain governments which ruled the state. Reiterating his firm commitment, the Chief Minister said that his government would leave no stone unturned to make Punjab as No.1 state in the country which would also brought laurels for the country at the global level.
Responding to the issues raised by Bhagwant Mann, the Prime Minister said he would soon take up this matter with the Ministries of Finance and Home to provide adequate support to the state.
Notably, this is Mann's maiden visit to Delhi as Punjab's Chief Minister.
Mann took the oath of office and secrecy at Khatkar Kalan village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district on March 16.
PM Modi had extended greetings to Bhagwant Mann for taking oath as Punjab Chief Minister.
"Congratulations to Bhagwant Mann on taking oath as Punjab CM. Will work together for the growth of Punjab and welfare of the state's people," PM Modi had tweeted.
Among Bhagwant Mann's key announcements as the Chief Minister is the launch of anti-corruption action helpline number-- 9501200200.
In the recently-concluded Punjab Assembly elections, the AAP registered a landslide victory, winning 92 seats, pushing the Congress party to distant second at 18 seats.
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On the occasion, Bhagwant Mann presented a shawl and a bouquet to Prime Minister as a goodwill gesture, who in turn wished him good health and a successful inning ahead as Chief Minister.
-PTC News
