Urges Governor not to vitiate the atmosphere of state by raising trivial issues
Punjab Newsline, Jalandhar, July 25-
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday announced that state govt will boycott the NITI Aayog meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27 at New Delhi.
Interacting with media persons here today, the CM said that the decision has been taken after the Union Budget failed to allocate funds to Punjab, despite the state's significant contributions to the nation. He termed the Union Budget as "Kursi Bachao Budget" (Save the Chair Budget) and accused the central government of political vendetta against non-BJP ruled states. Mann bemoaned that Punjab, being a main and major grain-producing state, was ignored in the Budget, and the Finance Minister's announcement of providing ration to 80 crore people did not mention Punjab.
The CM emphasised that Punjab shares a 532-kilometer international border and has always stood for the nation's interest. However, he said that the union government has blocked roads and imposed a burden on the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann recalled his efforts to waive off the Rs. 7.5 crore imposed by the Union Government for sending military forces during the Dinanagar and Pathankot attacks.