Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab for allegedly pushing farmers to desperation, leading some to take their lives due to financial distress. Badal highlighted AAP’s failure to fulfill promises such as providing minimum support price (MSP) for 22 crops, citing instances where farmers were left without the support they were assured. He also criticized the government’s lack of action in preventing crop losses and distress sales, emphasizing the need for tangible assistance to the farming community.
Addressing a rally in Mansa town as part of the Punjab Bachao campaign, Badal, accompanied by senior leader Prem Arora, expressed disappointment in the AAP government’s focus on advertising rather than addressing critical issues. He pointed out the substantial expenditure on advertising campaigns, contrasting the claims with the actual state of school education in Punjab. Badal also outlined plans for a World Skill Training University under the SAD government to enhance youth employability through skill development initiatives.
In his vision for Punjab, Badal pledged to prioritize agricultural infrastructure by ensuring optimal irrigation services through the installation of underground pipes in the Mansa constituency. He emphasized the importance of water management, vowing to redirect water resources to benefit Punjab’s agriculture sector. Additionally, Badal underscored the need to protect the environment by preventing industrial and sewage effluents from polluting rivers, particularly to address health concerns in the Malwa region.
Furthermore, Badal unveiled ambitious initiatives aimed at rural development, including the concrete paving of streets in thousands of villages annually, financial support for youth entrepreneurship, and welfare schemes for farmers and senior citizens. He also promised to enhance access to essential resources like tubewell connections, power supply, and subsidies for livestock ventures to uplift rural livelihoods in the state.
