Sukhbir misleading people of Punjab ahead of LS polls: Cong

Alleging the SAD-BJP government has created mess in the state in the past seven years, Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa today challenged Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to present the real picture before investors.
Speaking on the current visit of Sukhbir to Mumbai to woo investors, Bajwa said, "After meeting industrialists, Sukhbir has on his own announced large investment by the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Group, Tatas, Mahindra and Mahindra Group, Hinduja Group, Godrej and ADLABS, while none of them have made any commitment or issued any statement supporting his claim."
"Sukhbir is trying to mislead the people ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," Bajwa said in a statement here.

Bajwa said the Congress was not against investment in Punjab, "but the way Sukhbir is trying to mislead the industrial houses, he is doing more damage to the state".
"How can the SAD-BJP government invite investors without any industrial policy in place?" he asked.
The Badals were bleeding the people of Punjab with heavy tax burden, poor law and order situation, he alleged, adding "the existing industry is fleeing the state as power rates here are highest in the country," the Gurdaspur MP claimed.

Bajwa ridiculed Sukhbir's claim that Mukesh Ambani had agreed to give broadband connectivity to all schools and hospitals in Punjab and alleged "the SAD-BJP government was closing rural schools and shutting down rural and semi-urban hospitals to pave way for private players".

"Sukhbir is only depending on fake publicity and he has hired a team of media advisors to meet his political aspiration. They are working overtime to create an illusion of development, but these gimmicks would not work," he said.
The SAD-BJP government has not notified any industrial policy and agriculture policy so far. Punjab was ranked at 18th among 20 states in agriculture sector, Bajwa said.
"There is constant decline in manufacturing sector and rise in unemployment. The economy of Punjab is in a shambles with debt touching Rs 1 lakh crore," he alleged.
Bajwa said lopsided policies of SAD-BJP government were responsible for the present state of affairs.