Look within before blaming Centre,Ramesh to Punjab

Citing figures to show the state’s poor track record in using central funds,he said,“In the last 10 years,a sum of Rs 151 crore was allocated to Punjab for rural sanitation. But it could utilised only Rs 29 crore. (Therefore) before you blame somebody else look into yourself,” Ramesh said,adding “I don’t want to go into the reasons.”

Asserting there was no discrimination against Punjab,he said,the Centre always stressed upon providing funds to the states which are in need of development projects.

He said even if 60 per cent funds are utilised by the state till December this year,it will get additional funds as reward.

He also presented his report card on the promised he made during his last visit and what he has achieved.

“A sum of Rs 7.5 crore has been sanctioned for setting up a bridge in Mohar Jamsher village in Fazilka under PM Grameen Sadak Yojna,” he said. The village is hemmed in on three sides by the Sutlej charting its course through Pakistan and India.

“A team of Planning Commission visited the state to find a solution to water-logging and will submit its report within four months. I also spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for improving roads in border districts of Punjab,including Gurdaspur,Amritsar,Tarn Taran,Fazilka,Ferozepur and Pathankot,under the Prime Minister Grameen Sadak Yojna. We will come up with a project in the next 3-4 months for these districts,” he said.

Stating that Centre has asked the Badal government to come up with a proposal for a 1,700-km rural road project,Ramesh said,“So the Punjab has no reason to complain about discrimination. In fact,my party colleagues we are rather benevolent towards the Punjab government.”