Congress accuses Modi govt of discriminating against Punjab

Accusing the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of "discriminating" against Punjab, Opposition Congress today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "had not taken a single decision which could be termed as favourable to the border state".
"The definition of discrimination against this state has acquired a new meaning under the Modi government on whom Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is never tired of showering praises. One won't know for what purpose," Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa said.
According to Bajwa, What was now appalling that Badal had been all praise for Modi who had not taken a single decision which could be termed as favourable to this border state.

Meanwhile, Referring to Union minister Jayant Sinha's statement, he said, "Sinha has categorically stated that Punjab is on the path of prosperity. In case that is rightly so, Badal needs to explain as to why cess on petrol, diesel and power was levied affecting all sections of the society to mop off hundreds of crore."
Union Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha yesterday to a question on Punjab's demand for economic package had said, "I think Punjab is very much on the path of prosperity and it is getting all the support from the Centre for what it needs."

Bajwa, however, said that for years, Akali Dal in general and Badal in particular had been raising the bogey of discrimination by Congress governments at the Centre despite the fact that this state gained maximum during the two tenures of former PM Manmohan Singh who denied nothing.