New Delhi: Speaking to ETV Bharat, Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Singh Bajwa said the Punjab government should subsidize electricity for general consumption of the people of the state. Power distribution in the state has been a talking point with people reeling under the shortage of electricity recently. Bajwa also suggested the state government needs to improve the health and education infrastructure and facilities in Punjab, persuading people who plan to move to foreign countries in search of better education, job and healthcare, to stay back.
Here are some excerpts from the interview.
Q. Punjab CM met Congress President, Navjot Singh Sidhu met Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi. Do you believe that the infighting within Punjab Congress will be resolved soon?
Bajwa: It seems like everything is getting sorted now. In the future, God knows what will happen next.
Q. The three member committee had given an 18-point agenda to Capt Amarinder Singh. So, now can we say that the Punjab Government has started working on its unfulfilled poll promises?
Bajwa: Whatever directions are being given by the party high command should be implemented in a time bound manner. We don't have much time as Assembly polls are near and the Congress cadre is worried about it, especially for the promise being made in the Sacrilege matter. If that wouldn't be implemented, it will be a collective loss for the party.
Q. Power supply has become an important issue in Punjab. AAP has promised to give 300 units free electricity in the state, if comes to power. Do you think it's going to harm Congress in the upcoming Assembly polls?
Bajwa: It all depends on the Chief Minister and his team of bureaucrats. If they would be able to implement all of these 18-points agenda then there won't be much loss to the Government. If there is intention and planning then everything can be done.
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Q. According to you, what are the major issues in Punjab on which the Congress Government needs to focus?
Bajwa: The most important matter is the Sacrilege case. We had made a promise of taking strict action against the culprits. Second is the drug mafia. Those politicians and policemen involved with the drug dealers have spoilt almost an entire generation. Captain Amarinder Singh ji had promised to reveal such people and take actions against them.
Third is the power supply. Electricity bills of Industrial, commercial or even domestic usage is very high in Punjab. They have to spend more on the electricity bills as compared to what they earn. So, this has to be taken up by the Punjab Government.
Punjab is the only state which provides complete subsidy on power supply to the farming sector, I.e. of Rs 7,000 crores. Apart from this, almost Rs 4,000 crore subsidy is being given to the Scheduled Castes and backward classes of Punjab. I think, Congress Government either thinks of a plan to reduce the electricity bills or to provide subsidies to the General class people as well.
In addition to the need to improve health infrastructure in Punjab, another issue is the migration rate of the people to foreign Countries. Every year 1.5 lakh young people are migrating to other countries. In an intensive study of Punjab university, it has been proven that every year, revenue of Rs 28,000 crore goes to the other countries in education, visa, bags and baggage. Also, 'brain drain' is happening in the state as all the educated youngsters are moving to other countries.
If this continues then in the next 30 years, Punjabis will be in minority in their own state, which is a matter of great concern.
Q. Your suggestions over the migration issue?
Bajwa: Health Services, quality education and skill management are the most important issues to be worked upon. These young people need self-employment. Now, either they look for Government jobs or they opt for migration. So, we need to bring industries to our state. The entire family cannot be dependent and need some kind of supplement for their employment.
Q. Ahead of the Assembly polls, the biggest challenge before Congress is it's internal clashes. Isn't there a necessity for the party high command to unite it's state leaders?
Bajwa: This is most needed. Punjab is a border state. Whenever your government gets weakened internally, then external forces will start interfering. In the past few days, we saw drone attacks. Smuggling of drugs is being done from other countries. So, when the Government is on its toes, then these illegal activities will also get stopped. If the Government gets weak then such illegal activities will start increasing, which is also an alarming bell for the entire country.
Secondly, I believe our party high command has listened to each and everyone's opinions, so now it is time that all the issues that are being raised by the MPs, MLAs and other leaders should be convened to Captain Amarinder Singh and a quick action must be taken on that.
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