Amritsar, October 19
Giving clear indications of not rolling back the subsidies given to various sectors, as suggested by finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced here today that his government was committed to the implementation of the party manifesto.

The Chief Minister said the apprehensions that the Punjab government was facing a financial crunch were misplaced.

On the demand of the BJP to withdraw power hike in urban areas, Badal said there was “complete harmony” between the two alliance partners and such issues would be sorted out amicably.

“These are minor irritants which normally occur in a family”, he quipped.

Meanwhile, the proposed meeting between the Chief Minister and the BJP in charge, Punjab affairs, Balbir Punj could not take place today. Punj had threatened the Badal regime with dire consequences if the power hike to urban areas was not rolled back. Now the meeting is likely to be held at Chandigarh.

Coming heavily on the Punjab police, the Chief Minister said security forces should not take decisions in haste regarding sensitive issues like the Ludhiana cinema blast. He was referring to the investigating authorities suspecting the role of Babbar Khalsa into the incident. He said efforts of miscreants to revive militancy in the state would be defeated by vigilant security agencies.

Badal said the government would give grants to the proposed university of Chief Khalsa Diwan. Speaking at a function, organised by president of the Diwan Charnjit Singh Chadha, Badal said a special Act would be enacted by the legislature to establish the proposed university.

Meanwhile, following a meeting of Badal with local MLAs and MP, the Chief Minister announced Rs 250-crore master plan for Amritsar. It would be completed within six months. He said services of world-class companies were being sought for a planned road connectivity, potable water, sewerage and uninterrupted power supply in the city. A vision paper on Amritsar, which would provide jobs to 2,000 youths, is the brainchild of BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu.

He said Rs 100 crore for the plan would be released by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board within a day or two. Guru Nanak Dev Hospital would be developed as a world-class health care institution, he added.

Referring to the setting up of skilled development upgrade centres to impart skilled training to urban and semi-urban youth of the city, he said Rs1 crore would be released out of Skilled Development Institution (SDI) fund by the government of India.

The Chief Minister said the Rs 250-crore plan for the city was in addition to the Rs 3150-crore development plan approved under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewable Mission (JNURM).

He asked the district administration to complete the elevated road project to Sri Darbar Sahib on schedule.

At the meeting, Sidhu said contracts for various projects under the integrated development plan should be awarded to the companies of repute.

The Chief Minister also directed the mayor and deputy commissioner to find a suitable location in the city to set up a press club. He announced a grant of Rs10 lakh for the construction of the club. Meanwhile, Sidhu announced a grant of Rs15 lakh from his MPLAD fund.