Chandigarh: Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit unveiled the government's achievements and future plans in the House on the first day of the budget session on Friday, but the Governor's address mentioned the Central Government's Rural Development Fund (RDF). No mention of funds withheld under National Health Mission. However, the Governor finished his speech after about twelve minutes and he said that all written speeches should be treated as read and as per the rules of the Legislative Assembly, the Governor's speech is treated as read.
The Governor's 36 pages and 106 paragraphs in the Assembly mention the government's achievements, work done and future plans, but about Rs 5700 crore has been allocated from the Central Government and the Rural Development Fund (RDF) under it. National Health Mission. There is no mention of the withheld amount of approximately Rs 600 crore. Whereas the ministers, MLAs and leadership of the AAP government have been accusing the central government of not paying the dues for the last several months.
Interestingly, the Governor's speech mentioned the state's continued contribution to the central pool by purchasing 185 lakh tonnes of paddy and 130 lakh tonnes of wheat, to the extent of 21.40% in paddy and 46.24% in wheat. Not only this, the issues related to the sentiments of Punjabis, the issue of not providing water to other states including Punjab's capital Chandigarh and Sutlej Yaman Alank Canal (SYL) are also missing in the Governor's speech. Interestingly, just a few days ago, Haryana Assembly has kept a budget of Rs 100 crore for the construction of SYL Canal in its budget. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has advocated building a canal in the House. But there is no mention of construction of SYL in the Governor's address.