Parkash Singh Badal seeks FTII-like centre in Punjab

Badal met Jaitley in his office at Shastri Bhawan this morning.

His demand for an FTII-like institute in the state came after he had listed his other demands, including immediate release of one-time grant of Rs 1,300 crore for the expansion of National Fertilizer Limited plant at Naya Nangal in Rupnagar district in Punjab and special funds to the tune of Rs 1375 crore for rejuvenation of the Uppar Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) passing through the districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur.

The CM also demanded Rs 18 crore for extension, renovation and modernisation of canals from River Satluj (Sirhind Canal and Bist Doab Canal).

“Later, the Chief Minister also solicited support and cooperation from Jaitley … to set up a Skill Development Centre in the state to impart specialized training to our youth in the field of film & TV production on the lines of FTII, Pune,” a press release from the office of the chief minister released through public relations department of the state said.

Responding to the issues raised by Badal, Union Finance Minister assured him that he would soon get all these proposals thoroughly examined through his ministries so that appropriate action could be taken in this regard, the release added.

K J S Cheema, the special principal secretary to Badal, when contacted, said: “Expertise from the FTII, Pune has been sought so that youth in Punjab could be trained in audio-video and others skills relating to the field.”