Batala: The Local Government Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu today thundered that the SAD-BJP government spearheaded economic terrorism during past 10 years in the state the brunt of which had to be borne by the government as well as the people of Punjab.

Interacting with the media-persons here today on the occasion of ‘Viah Purb’of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the minister said that the previous SAD-BJP regime wreaked havoc with the state from economic point of view in 10 years and the akalis were always engrossed in deriving personal benefits from sand mafia, cable mafia, transport mafia and every financial source. 

He also disclosed that the previous regime had grossly misused the government money and indulged in financial bungling at large scale while allocating grants. He said that the present Congress government is undertaking an audit of the works pertaining to the previous SAD-BJP regime and has initiated action against those involved in irregularities.

Divulging the progress centric agenda of the present government, Sidhu said that the Congress government has chalked out an elaborate developmental plan of the state during the first 6 months and the rest of the tenure would be devoted to putting this plan into action. 

The minister said that the state government is devoting special attention to the aspect of development of urban centres so as to ensure every basic facility to the urban population. The minister also divulged that the state is keeping a hawk eye on the development grants issued and their expenditure and made it clear that no bungling would be tolerated in this regard.

Disclosing further, Sidhu said that the municipal corporation polls would be held by the year end and the congress would contest these on the developmental plank. He also added that 50 percent reservation for women would be provided in these polls besides increasing the number of wards in order to make sure that maximum people from the grassroot level can contribute their bit towards the prosperity of the cities.