Capt satisfied over Centre’s cooperation
Saturday, 19/08/2017
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CHANDIGARH : Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday expressed satisfaction over the cooperation extended by the Modi government to Punjab.
Addressing members of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Association, the CM pointed out that his government has inherited Rs 2.08-lakh crore debt from the previous SAD BJP government. While he described this huge fiscal deficit as a massive problem, he also expressed gratitude to the Centre for the cooperation it is extending to the state.
Punjab and Haryana High Court chief justice SJ Vazifdar and other senior judges were also present on the occasion. Amarinder recalled how former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh always told him that as PM, it was his duty to extend support to all states, including Punjab which was then ruled by the SAD-BJP.
The CM expressed satisfaction that BJP PMs, including former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee and incumbent Narendra Modi, treated the Congress government in the state in the same way.
Citing unemployment, agrarian crisis and economic revival as the biggest problems faced by his government, Amarinder said the situation is challenging and requires coordinated efforts to tackle it effectively.
Earlier, chief justice Vazifdar lauded Amarinder’s various accomplishments, including his political career, books on military history and other writings.
Amarinder called upon the executive wing of the government to tighten its belt and improve its functioning to minimise the pressure on the judiciary. “People should not end up running to the judiciary for justice on the smallest of matters.”
In response to the Bar’s demand for Rs 5 crore for upgrading the library and other infrastructure of the bar council, the CM announced Rs 50 lakh as a “small token”, lamenting his inability to give more in view of the state’s fiscal crisis. Lawyers require the best of libraries and other assets, he said, promising bigger contribution once the state’s economic situation starts improving.
