logo
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann calls Centre for special financial package

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann calls Centre for special financial package

Asserting that Punjab is the sword arm of nation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the Centre should give special package to the border state.
Mann put forth his views during an all-party meeting convened by Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.
Interacting with reporters later along with Governor Kataria, the chief minister said whether it is war or any other exigency Punjab and Punjabis are always on the forefront.
Punjab always faces the first brunt during every war and escalations, said Mann, adding the state needs special treatment for its enormous contribution.
He said that Punjab besides being the food bowl of the country has always been its sword arm but its contribution has been hitherto ignored.
Mann said that special package should be given to Punjab on lines of one given to Jammu and Kashmir and some hill states.
The state government will also raise the demand of border area allowance for doctors, teachers, Anganwadi and other workers posted in border districts with the Government of India, he added.
The chief minister announced that he would be visiting the state's border areas from Sunday to assess the situation at the ground level in light of recent developments arising due to heightened tension between India and Pakistan.
Mann said that Punjab, especially the border regions, suffered a lot due to the mounting tension between the two countries.
He also said Punjab will strengthen various measures at the borders, including having anti-drone systems.
Kataria on his part said the political parties suggested during the meeting that we should meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a special package for Punjab.
He concurred with the views expressed by the political parties that financial package should be given to Punjab as it is a border state.
Kataria said that he gave a suggestion in the meeting that the youths of border areas should be given some percentage of reservation in jobs.
Commenting on the ceasefire, the governor said that does not mean we will let our guard down.
"We need to be fully prepared because their (Pakistan's) nature is such... Even they push drugs (across the border) through drones," he said.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Punjab for supporting the armed forces, Kataria said after the successful operation carried out by India to destroy the terror camps, Pakistan in reaction to that escalated things and launched several drones to target Punjab and other places but their attempts were thwarted by the Indian security forces.
He stressed the significance of civil defence training, saying properly trained civil defence units in the districts can be of great help not just in situations of war but in other emergencies too.
During the meeting, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also mooted the demand for seeking a special economic package for Punjab from the Centre to mitigate losses "to our business and trade during this conflict".
"Given Punjab's frontline position, we have always sacrificed a lot in each war. Punjab has suffered a lot and in each such conflict besides the loss of life our trade and business are also impacted for which a package is required to mitigate our losses and help Punjab," he said.
The governor earlier during an interfaith meeting with representatives from all religions emphasized upon the need to unite all sections of the society and stand united behind our brave armed forces while facing the external challenges boldly.
He also sounded a note of caution to those indulging in rumour-mongering on social media platforms and advocated strict action against such elements.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu condemns journalist Krishnam Raju's remarks against women farmers
Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu condemns journalist Krishnam Raju's remarks against women farmers

The Hindu

timean hour ago

  • The Hindu

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu condemns journalist Krishnam Raju's remarks against women farmers

Strongly condemning the comments made by journalist V.V.R. Krishnam Raju on Amaravati and the women farmers, during a debate on a TV channel, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said in a statement that making disgraceful and vulgar remarks on them under the guise of political vendetta and media analysis was an unforgivable offence. He warned that all those who crossed all boundaries in hurting the sentiments of women as part of a malicious conspiracy against the capital would face serious consequences. 'We belong to a society that reveres the feminine as divine. This is our tradition — the essence of Indian life. Particularly among Telugu people, daughters and mothers are held in deep affection and high esteem', he observed. He expressed dismay that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) did not give up its behaviour even after the people rejected its 'toxic culture' in the 2024 elections. 'There can be no tolerance for the appalling comments that demean the women of the capital region. I strongly condemn this perverse trend being perpetuated under the cover of politics and media', he stated, while criticising the YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for not taking responsibility for the incident. Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy's silence on the matter was deeply troubling as it was in his media channel that the abusive remarks were passed. The NDA government, which respects women and stands as a guardian of their self-respect, would take full responsibility to put an end to this vile culture, Mr. Naidu added.

MPs united against terrorism: Aparajita
MPs united against terrorism: Aparajita

Hans India

timean hour ago

  • Hans India

MPs united against terrorism: Aparajita

Bhubaneswar: Lawmakers may have differences of opinion on various internal issues, but on terrorism, they spoke in one voice and informed the world about Pakistan's role behind it, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi said on Saturday after returning from a five-nation tour as part of a multi-party delegation. Sarangi, the MP of Bhubaneswar, was given a rousing welcome by her supporters on her arrival here. 'We may have differences of opinion on issues inside the country. But, on terrorism, all of us spoke in one voice and apprised the foreign countries of how Pakistan is peddling lies and nurturing terrorism,' she told reporters. 'All members of the delegation raised India's voice together,' she added. Sarangi's delegation had members from the Congress, TMC, JD(U) and CPI(M). 'During our trip, we spoke to politicians, women, youth, academia, media and community representatives, and people from different walks of life. Indian diaspora was all along with us,' she said. 'There were elaborate discussions on India's policy of zero-tolerance to terrorism,' she said. A grand rally, organised by her supporters, accompanied Sarangi from Biju Patnaik International Airport to her office, with party workers and locals lining the route to celebrate her return. Sarangi reflected on the objectives and outcomes of the international visit and responded to the Opposition's call for a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor. 'It was a privilege to engage with a wide spectrum of stakeholders -- from political leaders and women's groups to youth forums, think tanks and community associations,' she said. 'Wherever we went, the Indian diaspora came out in strength, and the conversations were meaningful and inspiring,' she added. Sarangi said the delegation had a clear mandate from Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- to assert India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and explain the strategic shift in India's security doctrine. 'India now operates under a 'New Normal' -- zero tolerance and immediate response,' she emphasised. Referring to Operation Sindoor, Sarangi said: 'In just four days, we neutralised over 100 terrorists, dismantled major terror infrastructure, and eliminated around 11 top operatives. However, we also suffered deeply -- 26 lives were lost, including innocent tourists. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, nor forgiven.' She described the global response to the delegation's visit as 'overwhelmingly supportive'. Addressing the Opposition's demands for a special session of Parliament, Sarangi pushed back. 'I don't see the necessity for it. This delegation included 59 MPs -- only 20 of them from the BJP. Others were from Congress, TMC, JD(U), CPI(M), and more. If we could present a united voice on foreign soil, why create divisions at home? Even senior leaders in Delhi appreciated the coordination and purpose we demonstrated.'

Chandrababu Naidu slams YSRCP-backed channel, asserts zero tolerance for 'vile remarks' on women
Chandrababu Naidu slams YSRCP-backed channel, asserts zero tolerance for 'vile remarks' on women

New Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • New Indian Express

Chandrababu Naidu slams YSRCP-backed channel, asserts zero tolerance for 'vile remarks' on women

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday strongly condemned the disgraceful remarks made by a journalist on a vernacular TV news channel owned by former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, targeting women in the Capital Region of Amaravati. 'Ours is a culture that honours daughters. We belong to a society that reveres the feminine divine. This is our tradition - the essence of Indian life. Particularly among Telugu people, daughters and mothers are held in deep affection, and high esteem. In such a State of ours, making disgraceful and vulgar remarks about our mothers and sisters under the guise of political vendetta or media analysis is an unforgivable offence,' he observed. Naidu expressed dismay that the people of Andhra Pradesh, despite delivering a strong verdict against such toxic culture in the recent elections, continue to witness the same behaviour from the YSRCP. 'The appalling comments that demean the women of the capital region by likening them to prostitutes - an outright insult to their dignity. I strongly condemn this perverse trend being perpetuated under the cover of politics and media,' he said. 'It is even more distressing that a former Chief Minister, under whose own media channel these offensive remarks were telecast, is yet to denounce the act or apologise to women - a silence that is deeply troubling,' he said. 'Those who crossed all boundaries, and hurt the sentiments of women as part of a malicious conspiracy against the capital, will face the strictest possible consequences,' the Chief Minister warned. The derogatory and deliberate insults aimed at the women of the capital region - who protested against the previous destructive regime - are not just attacks on individuals, but an affront to womanhood itself,' he said. 'The NDA government, which respects women, and stands as a guardian of their self-respect, takes full responsibility to put an end to this vile culture,' he asserted.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store