145;Reforms panel for speedy admn works soon146;

This was stated by SAD B president and party MP Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was here along with cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia to inaugurate a newsprint manufacturing unit at Khanna Paper Mills today.

8220;The SAD-BJP government is fully committed to implement its economic agenda of overall development of the state. The initiatives taken in the sectors of power, connectivity and education will soon provide an impetus to the growth,8221; he said, adding that he has discussed the setting up of reforms panel with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

8220;The commission will recommend measures to overcome delays in administrative works and we will implement them to help the people,8221; he said.

Sukhbir also fired a fresh salvo on former CM Captain Amarinder Singh. Calling him a frustrated and mentally-sick person, he said Captain8217;s remarks on 8220;political terrorism8221; were irresponsible. 8220;He is an unwanted man in the party and in his family. He is a failed CM and a failed husband and even a failed father. It is his frustration that comes out when he levels allegations of political vendetta,8221; he said.

He said airports at Mohali, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Amritsar would air provide connectivity which is necessary for progress. 8220;The construction of Pathankot to Jaipur expressway via Jalandhar, Moga, Bathinda and Ajmer will start within few months and complete in two years. It will reduce the journey to Mumbai by 300 kms,8221; he said, adding that an ambitious plan of Rs 1,000 crore for complete redesigning of major cities would be taken up shortly.

However, he was non-committal on saving Rajasansi Airport, from where many airlines have suspended flights, despite Majithia asking him to use his influence in Delhi to take up the matter with the Centre.

Earlier, Majithia sought extension of the railway freight corridor up to Amritsar to provide a level playing field to all the entrepreneurs of the state. Both hailed Khanna Paper Mills chairman Brij Mohan Khanna and his sons for being the largest paper-manufacturing unit in the country. While Sukhbir condemned Mumbai terror attacks, he was non-committal on stringent federal laws to deal with terrorism, saying the Centre-state relations should not be disturbed.

Sidelights
Both Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia kept on saying that Khanna Paper Mills was one of the largest companies in the state, which gave employment to hundreds in this border area, and their visit and inauguration should not invite any controversy.
Both spoke in English from the dais.
Bikram Majithia said earlier he had differences with Khanna Paper Mills proprietors, but these have now been resolved.