PM assures fulsome support and cooperation for resolution of issues concerning the state

Hussainiwala (Ferozepur), March 23, 2015: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that the Government of India (GoI) would take every possible step for solving the issues concerning the state besides giving further fillip to the ongoing development of the state.
Addressing the massive gathering during a national level function to observe the Martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru here today, the Prime Minister, while recalling his strong ‘blood relation’ with Punjab, said that every effort would be made to ensure the overall development of the state and prosperity of its people. Modi said that he would sit with the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and chalk out the strategy to sort out the issues raised by him. The Prime Minister said that he was highly indebted to Punjab for giving him wide political and social experience during his stay in the state for over two decades. Describing Badal as the senior most politician of the country, who was highly revered and loved by the people of Punjab, the Prime Minister said that he was honored to have been politically groomed by Badal, who was one of the most visionary politicians of the country, during his stay in the state.
Announcing a slew of incentives for the state, the Prime Minister announced that GoI has decided to enhance the allocation of state under the next five year plan to Rs 54000 crore instead of existing Rs 20000 crore. Likewise, he said that the allocation for development of the urban local bodies and Panchayat bodies has been enhanced to Rs 6000 crore annually from existing Rs 4000 crore. As a tribute to legendary martyr Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh, Modi also announced to name the upcoming Horticulture research at Amritsar on the name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
Expressing concern over the depleting water table in the state, the Prime Minister, while coining the slogan of ‘per drop, more crop, exhorted the farmers to adopt scientific  ways and means like use of Sprinkle irrigation for enhancing their yield. Likewise, he called upon the farmers to make minimum use of fertilizers for maintain the soil health of their farms. Modi also asked the farmers to make optimum utilisation of soil health card scheme initiated by the Union Government for welfare of the farmers. The Prime Minister also assured the farmers that the Union government was sympathetically looking into the possibility of compensating the farmers affected by the recent hailstorm.     
Earlier in his address, the Chief Minister batted for the opening of trade through Hussainiwala and Sadki borders in the state for promoting economic activity in the region. He said that the border towns of the state were the most prosperous towns of Punjab but the partition of the country had inflicted a serious blow to these towns. Citing the example of Ferozepur town, Mr. Badal said that once this city witnessed tremendous activity but now it almost gave a deserted look. “With the opening of these borders the economy of state will get a major boost thereby resulting in the prosperity of its people” he added.
Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister urged Modi to take up the issue of bringing the list of items traded through the Attari border at par with those exported through the Mumbai-Karachi sea route. He also impressed upon the Prime Minister evolve a special scheme for developing the border areas/ cities of the state so that the brave people of border areas could get their due. Badal also urged the Prime Minister to restart the special scheme for providing special relief to the farmers having land across the border.
The Chief Minister also said that ever since coming to power in 2007 their government has been following a pro-farmer policy of land acquisition, which should be replicated at the national level. He said that the state government had acquired every inch of land for the development projects with the express consent of the farmers. Badal also advocated that the GoI should give free hand to the states regarding the acquisition of land both for the state and union projects.
Batting for remunerative Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the farmers, the Chief Minister said that it was the need of the hour to combat the current agrarian crisis. He said that in order to promote the crop diversification in the state, the Union government should also provide MSP to the alternative crops. Badal also sought upward revision in the compensation for natural disaster to the farmers as the existing sum was meager and inadequate. “The hard working and resilient farmers of the state must be given their due in recognition to their immense contribution for making the country self reliant in food production” he added.
Earlier paying floral tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, the Chief Minister said that these great sons of the soil had laid down their life for emancipating the country from the shackles of foreign imperialism. However, he said that dreams of these martyrs still remain unfulfilled as the country was confronting a number of social maladies. Badal said that it was a matter of great pride and satisfaction for him that the newly constituted NDA government at centre was giving due recognition to the immense contribution of these martyrs.
Listing the spectacular achievements of the NDA government in a short span of time, the Chief Minister said that the GoI under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Modi have taken path breaking initiatives for ensuring the progress and growth of the country. Badal lauded the Prime Minister for ushering in an era of cooperative federalism in the country aimed at giving more powers to the state. He said that due to the far sighted approach of Modi the states were getting more share in the devolution of central taxes.
The Chief Minister said that with the formation of NITI Aayog at the centre a new ray of hope has emerged for the all-round development of the states. “The time has come when the Chief Ministers of the states will have more say in the formulation of policies aimed at welfare of the people” added Badal.
The Chief Minister also lauded the Prime Minister for choosing Sri Amritsar Sahib as heritage city under the HRIDAY scheme. He said that under the scheme the city would get several hundred crores of Rupees for its development. Badal also thanked the Prime Minister for including Jallianwala Bagh among Cultural World Heritage Site to receive special assistance for improving the infrastructure. He also lauded the NDA government for allocating prestigious projects like All India Institute of Medical Science, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Post Graduate Horticulture Research and Educational Institute. “This is the first time ever since independence that a Central government has demonstrated a special concern for the patriotic people of Punjab” he added.
While welcoming the Prime Minister, state BJP President Kamal Sharma lauded him ensuring the overall development of the country. He said that Modi has made the entire country feel proud by taking unprecedented steps aimed the development of the country and prosperity of its people.
Earlier the Prime Minister and Badal paid homage at the samadhis of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, BK Dutt and Rajmata Vidyawati.  Modi also felicitated the members of families of these martyrs.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, Cabinet Ministers Jathedar Tota Singh, Chunni Lal Bhagat and Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Lok Sabha MP Sher Singh Ghubaya.