LUDHIANA, June 12 (Rajkumar Sathi). Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, stated today that Punjab’s development has been hindered by the state government’s alleged failure to implement people-centric schemes from the central government. Puri, who was in Ludhiana for a by-election campaign in support of candidate Jiwan Gupta, asserted that this has prevented Punjab residents from receiving benefits available to citizens in other states across the country. Puri emphasized that while India has made significant strides in development, including advancements in the space sector, Punjab has not fully benefited from central welfare programs. He attributed this to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s purported non-implementation of these initiatives, citing the Ayushman Bharat Healthcare program as a regrettable example. “All central schemes are available throughout the country,” Puri noted, “but if these schemes aren’t implemented in states like Punjab, it’s a matter of deep regret.”
India’s Economic Growth and Government Achievements
Minister Puri also highlighted the Modi-led government’s achievements over the past 11 years, focusing on India’s substantial economic progress. He stated that in 2014, when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, India’s economy was valued at $2 trillion and ranked 10th globally. Since then, India has surpassed the UK to become the 5th largest economy and recently overtook Japan to claim the 4th position. According to World Bank assessments, Puri projected that India would surpass Germany within the next year. He underscored India’s robust economic growth rate of 6.5%, significantly higher than the approximately 2% growth rates of the UK, Japan, and Germany. This rapid growth, he suggested, positions India to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2026, with its current economy standing at $4.3 trillion.
Welfare Initiatives and Infrastructure Development
Puri further detailed the expansion of welfare programs under the current administration. He noted that the number of LPG cylinder connections in the country has increased from 14 crore in 2014 to over 33 crore today. He specifically mentioned the 2016 launch of the Ujjwala Yojana, which provides LPG cylinders at subsidized prices, primarily benefiting rural areas. Additionally, Puri stated that 4 crore people have received houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with plans to construct 3 crore more homes across India in the coming years. The Minister also pointed out that in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, 33% of seats will be reserved for women, a move he described as fostering “women-led development.” He also highlighted the significant growth in India’s civil aviation sector, with the number of airports increasing from 74 before 2014 to over 150 now.
Governance Concerns in Punjab
Puri also expressed concerns regarding governance in Punjab. He stated that despite Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s election promise to eliminate drugs, little progress has been observed. He also criticized the prevailing law and order situation in the state. Puri urged that the BJP’s 11-year report card on national achievements should be widely disseminated in Punjab, asserting that it would “enthral” people across all sections. He concluded by stating that “governance doesn’t mean fake promises, but promises should be shown fulfilled on the ground,” citing the AAP’s unfulfilled promise of ₹1,000 per month to women as an example.this occasion District president Rajnish Dhiman,ex Minister rana gurjit Singh,are present.
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