Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today termed division in the name of caste, religion and colour as the biggest threat to Nation. He said that there is a strong need of following the message of unity and humanity given by Baba Sheikh Farid Ji to pull country out of this crisis. 

Addressing a massive gathering on the Aagman Purab of the great Sufi Saint Baba Sheikh Farid Ji, Manpreet Singh Badal gave a clarion call to the people of Punjab to shed the abhorrence and join hands for socio-economic development of the state. 

Quoting the life history and teachings of Baba Sheikh Farid ji, Finance Minister said that mutual peaceful coexistence and communal harmony would be the real tribute to Baba Ji. 

Disclosing his approach regarding development, the Finance Minister said ''It was our bad luck that we equate development only with the development of infrastructures like road and streets whereas a state or nation achieves real development goals only if its youth has been getting rewarding jobs. 

“I need not say that we will achieve our targeted development goals when youth of the state will get rewarding jobs. The kitchen of every household would witness this development”, added Manpreet Singh Badal. 

Interacting with the media persons Badal said that the Punjab government has reserved Rs 50 crore for the heritage festivals and all expenses of the Baba Farid Mela would be beared by the Punjab Government. 

The Finance Minister announced to release the remaining grant of Rs 87 crore for the sewage & drinking project of the Faridkot city. He also announced to release about Rs 40 Crore for construction of 'Pakka Khalas'. On the demand of local MLA Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, the Finance Minister announced to set a modern park for the beautification of the city and install street lights.