Punjab govt sanctions Rs 1,433 cr for border area development

Punjab Government today sanctioned a comprehensive development package of Rs 1,433.97 crore for all round development of border areas falling in six districts of the state.
To give further impetus to the overall development and prosperity in the 18 blocks of six border districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal approved the package to ensure better quality of life to the inhabitants of these difficult areas.
The package would help in percolating the fruits of welfare schemes for them through inclusive development at the grass roots level, an official spokesman said.
Presiding over a high level meeting with the MLAs and party leaders of SAD-BJP alliance representing 14 assembly constituencies in these districts here, Badal asked the representatives of these assembly constituencies to mobilise local Panchayats, Municipal Committees and other local bodies to elicit their huge participation in the development works in a result-oriented manner to ensure timely and quality completion of these projects under their direct supervision.

Laying thrust on the need to get these development works done according to the felt needs of the people, the Chief Minister said elements of probity, accountability and transparency should be adhered to at all costs so that these funds meant for the welfare of the residents of the border areas must be spent judiciously to provide the basic civic amenities to the people living in these difficult areas.
Outlining the broad contours of the package, the Chief Minister apprised the MLAs to spend these funds on the construction and repair of roads including link roads through PWD (B&R) and Mandi Board, implementation of potable water and sanitation schemes, strengthening and revamping of canals, water courses, channels and distributaries, upgradation of health care facilities, animal husbandry besides revamping the school and college infrastructure.