Chandigarh August 15:
            Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said that the State was on the path of economic resurgence. Recalling the great tradition of Punjab and the State's contribution towards the freedom struggle, Chief Minister Badal on the eve of Independence Day said: "Punjab is the on the path of economic resurgence."
"If we make an objective assessment of the State's development scenario in three-and-a-half years since the SAD-BJP Government took the reins in March 2007, it is satisfying to note that we have excelled in every sphere be it agriculture, power, infrastructure, health or education," said Badal.
"When we started our voyage, the path was strewn with odds and obstacles as the previous Government left the entire State in quandary and financial mess due to its ill-conceived policies. To put Punjab in the orbit of high growth trajectory, our SAD-BJP Government has taken bold initiatives coupled with pragmatic policies and programmes that have enabled us to achieve the desired results," said Badal in his message to the people of Punjab
"To make Punjab as a power surplus State by 2012-13, our Government has sanctioned four thermal plants at Talwandi Sabo (1980 MW), Goindwal Sahib (540 MW), Rajpura (2100 MW) and Gidderbaha (2680 MW). The work is in full swing on three thermal plants and fourth one at Gidderbaha is in the advance stage of implementation," he said.
"On the agricultural front Punjab has been instrumental in ensuring national food security, consistently contributing about 45 per cent of wheat and 25 per cent of rice towards the central pool. We have embarked upon an ambitious programme of the cleaning of the river Satluj, the Beas and the Ghaggar at a cost of Rs2054 crore thereby ensuring that all the cities in Punjab to have proper drainage and water supply system," he said.
About education, Chief Minister Badal said: "As many as 26,000 teachers had been recruited to ensure the smooth functioning of the schools. It is a matter of pride that the Punjab State achieved the 2nd position in the country for successful implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and ranked 6th from the earlier 14th position in India on education development index as per report of the National University Educational Planning and Administration for the year 2009-10."
"The SAD-BJP Government has laid special emphasises on the skill development programme to train our unemployed youth in collaboration with renowned Bharti Wal Mart to impart training in retailing, logistics and supply chain management, L&T for construction skills and Tata Motors for driving and automotive skills," he said. "To ensure the best medical and healthcare facilities, our Government has prepared a plan of Rs340 crore for upgradation of infrastructure and equipment in the Government hospitals. The entire project will be completed with in one-and-half year," said Badal.
"Our Government has given top priority to infrastructure development in the State. Major initiatives have been taken to revamp the infrastructure involving an investment of approximately Rs7000 crore. 1600-km of new roads is being constructed during the current year at a cost of Rs 400 crore," said Badal.
"Our Government has notified a New Industrial Policy, under which special package of concessions has been provided for Information Technology and Knowledge based industries, agro-based industries and food processing industries. Punjab Special Economic Zones Act, 2009 has been enacted," he said.
"Our government has sincerely ventured to make Punjab as a front-runner State on the national map. It is a testimony to the people's whole-hearted support and cooperation that has ushered in an era of overall development and progress in the State," said Badal.