Budget has nothing for Punjab, says Harsimrat Badal

New Delhi, July 26

Calling the Union Budget as “Sarkar bachao” and completely anti-farmer, SAD MP from Bathinda Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday criticised the Centre for not implementing the MSP formula as envisaged by the MS Swaminathan commission.

Participating in the discussion on the Budget in the Lok Sabha, Harsimrat said it reflected only the aspirations of two states – Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, as the government was running on the mercy of the JD(U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

The lawmaker called for correcting the “historic wrongs”, which have been committed against Punjab as its waters were diverted to neighbouring Rajasthan, adding that when it comes to sharing of water, Punjab’s waters are given to other states, therefore Punjab should be adequately compensated.

Harsimrat also urged the Centre to reopen the Wagah border for international trade, and also spoke about giving concessions to the cycles and sports industry and releasing Rural Development Fund and Sarv Siksha Abhiyan dues to Punjab.

She expressed shock that even natural calamities like floods and religious circuits had not been spared from bias. “Religious circuits and temple have received special grants but Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, where two lakh lakh devotees from across the globe visit every day, has not been given any grant under the religious tourism head,” Harsimrat lamented.

The Bathinda MP said similarly the pick and choose policy had been implemented in the case of natural calamities as well. She said Himachal Pradesh had received flood relief but Punjab, which is flooded when gates of dams in Himachal are thrown open, has been forgotten.

“When there are floods, Punjab suffers but when there is water shortage all parties, including the Congress, BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), demand that the SYL canal be constructed to rob Punjab of its river waters,” she added.