Stop discrimination against Punjab, release withheld funds: AAP to Shah

Patiala: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday said Union home minister Amit Shah should ensure the release of Punjab's withheld funds. The party also demanded that the Centre must "stop discrimination" against Punjab.Speaking to the mediapersons on the second day of a three-day camp organised at Greenfield Sant Enclave in Patiala for registration and issuance of cards under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, AAP Punjab general secretary and state media in-charge Baltej said under the leadership of chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab govt planned to issue health scheme cards to 65 lakh families.Around 15 lakh people have already received these cards, said Pannu.The AAP leader criticised the central govt and said if the Union home minister came to Punjab to hold a rally, he should have also brought along the funds withheld by the Centre, including the state's pending Rural Development Fund and the funds under other schemes.Accusing the Centre of step-motherly treatment towards Punjab, Pannu said the central govt consistently discriminated against the state. He said on issues such as Punjab's rights over Chandigarh and matters related to Panjab University, the Centre kept the state entangled.The AAP spokesperson appealed to the people of Punjab to raise these issues with Amit Shah.He recalled that during the floods, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of Punjab and announced Rs 1,600 crore as compensation for losses, but the amount was not released to the state.Commenting on opposition leaders, Pannu said Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira "has lost his mental balance".Targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal, he said during the Akali govt's tenure, drugs and gangsterism reached alarming levels in Punjab, causing immense damage to the state."Today, the govt is removing the thorns sown by the Akali Dal and making efforts to restore Punjab to its vibrant glory as ‘Rangla Punjab'," he added.Pannu further said the announcement of investment commitments worth Rs 10,000 crore by leading industrialists on the first day of the three-day Punjab Progressive Investors' Summit-2026 in Mohali was a major achievement of the Mann govt and would further boost business activity in the state.MSID:: 129575556 413 |