CM vows to pursue state’s case for special incentives

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 18

Opposing the Centre’s decision to extend special incentives to hill states, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said today that he would pursue Punjab’s demand for extending similar incentives to the border areas and the Kandi belt.

Speaking at the Punjab Kala Bhawan here after inaugurating an exhibition of the Photo Journalists Welfare Association, the Chief Minister said Kandi and border areas should be treated on a par with the hill states in terms of these incentives.

On the probe into the sand mining auctions, the CM said no committee had been formed to examine Justice JS Narang’s report. “I’ve marked the report to the Chief Secretary, who may have involved other officials for studying its findings,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister after observing a two-minute silence in memory of award-winning photojournalist S Paul, announced a Running Trophy for the Best Photographer of the Year, to be presented in December every year.

The three-day exhibition features 109 photos of 59 photographers. It has also put on display photos clicked by Governor VP Singh Badnore and Capt Amarinder.