High on states growth figures,Sukhbir bashes Congress

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hit out against the Opposition Congress for thrusting the states economy into huge debts.

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Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hit out against the Opposition Congress on Thursday for thrusting the states economy into huge debts,blaming the previous regime of Captain Amarinder Singh for taking loans of Rs 19,000 crore (33 per cent of the total outstanding loan). He said the Congress was issuing false statements about Punjabs economic growth,which was actually witnessing a major,unprecedented upturn.

Sukhbir was addressing a huge gathering at the state-level Shaheedi Samagam held in the memory of Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji),but his speech concentrated on Congress bashing. The facts regarding the states economy taking an upturn will be shortly before the public. Our growth rate exceeds that of the national average, he said.

Blaming the Congress-led UPA government in Centre for the price rise,Sukhbir said the Union government could control prices of the goods of daily need in no time,but did not do so. They do not want to and do not have the will to do so. This is not the government of rich traders and middlemen, he said.

To a query regarding the prime ministers appeals to the states to lower taxes to check inflation,Sukhbir said the PM had no right to ask the state to curb its revenue till it raised the share of Punjab in Central taxes from a mere 1.3 per cent to 50 per cent.

Regarding his governments steps to check price rise,he said they had directed all deputy commissioners to look for hoarders and take strict actions.

Sukhbir recalled services of the great Sikh warrior,Baba Jeevan Singh,a Dalit who single-handedly brought the severed head of Guru Tegh Bahadur,martyred by Mughals in Delhi on November 11,1675,to Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib. He announced that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee would name one of its four inns in the name of Baba Jeevan Singh and a suitable memorial would be built for him in the state. He said a state award would also be instituted in his name.

Sidhu leaves venue

BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu surprised all when he left the venue unannounced. It was rumoured that he left because he did not get a suitable place to sit on the dais. Though he was not available for comments,Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal played down the matter,saying Sidhu met him on the dais and left because he had some important work.

Emotional speeches

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Barring Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal,who quoted some facts and figures during his speech,none of the senior leaders,including MP Rattan Singh Ajnala,minister Gulzar Singh Ranike,and former MPs Balwinder Singh Bhundar,Charanjit Singh Atwal and Gurdev Badal referred to any figure,but resorted to emotional talks related to Sikh warriors. Gurdev Badal even compared Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

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High on states growth figures,Sukhbir bashes Congress

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hit out against the Opposition Congress for thrusting the states economy into huge debts.

High on states growth figures,Sukhbir bashes Congress

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hit out against the Opposition Congress for thrusting the states economy into huge debts.