Sonia launches scathing attack on SAD-BJP combine in Punjab

Gurdaspur (Punjab): Launching a scathing attack on the SAD-BJP government in Punjab, UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi today accused it of using central funds for their own benefits rather than for the progress of the state. Refuting the allegation that the central government had always given a step-motherly treatment to the state, Gandhi said the UPA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had given sufficient grants to Punjab for its progress and development. [caption id=“attachment_192555” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Refuting the allegation that the Centre had always given a step-motherly treatment to Punjab, the Congress president said the UPA government had given sufficient grants to the state for its progress and development. Munir uz Zaman/AFP”]  [/caption] She added that the money sent by the Centre was used by the Akalis for their own benefits rather than for progress of the state. Castigating the SAD-BJP alliance for not properly utilising funds available under centrally sponsored schemes, Gandhi said, “the SAD-BJP rule destroyed Punjab…there have been scandals and embezzlements all round and corruption is at its peak”. She said that the UPA government provided grants to states irrespective of which government is ruling them. “The UPA gave packages to Punjab for improvement on economic fronts, but the Akalis never bothered about Centre sponsored schemes,” she said. Listing out the “shortcomings” of the Akali regime, Gandhi at a public meeting at this border area of Punjab, said that the common man in the state felt insecure in view of the poor law and order situation in the state. “Youths are taking to drugs as there are no employment avenues in Punjab,” she said adding that the health care in the state was in a bad condition. It was Gandhi’s second visit to Punjab which goes to polls on 30 January. She visited Kapurthala last week. Noting that there was “acute” power shortage in Punjab, she said that there was no electricity for farmers, industry and the common man in the state. The Congress President said that politics and power are used by her party for the upliftment of poor and weak people in society. Gandhi named centre-sponsored schemes, including MNREGA, JNURM, Rajiv Gandhi Vidyut Nigam Yogna, Rajiv Gandhi Savasthya Mission and mid-day meal schemes which UPA launched for the benefit of all sections of the society. She said that under the Congress regime dams, power houses were set up in Punjab. Besides, green revolution was brought by the Congress in the state, she added. She said that the UPA government had given lot of money and projects for the development of border areas. Computer training centres have been set for providing training to youths, she said. Talking about industry, she said that the UPA under a scheme had given crores of rupees to the sulking industry in the state so that entrepreneurs invest money here but the Akalis never implemented the Central scheme. PTI