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The irrigation network, standard of education and the health sector remain to be the priorities, he added.
When asked about the effects of global meltdown on Punjab and power companies shying away from allying with the PSEB for new mega power projects, the minister said options were open for the execution of thermal power plants in the public sector. PSEB engineers repeatedly urged the Chief Minister to execute the prestigious Rajpura and Gidderbaha thermal power projects in the public sector.
He added that a total outlay of Rs 2,900 crore had been earmarked for provision to the PSEB as compensation for subsidies on account of free power to the agriculture sector and the poor and SCs/STs.
Manpreet, who was here to attend the annual convocation of the Government Mohindra College, said the state government has proposed an annual plan outlay of Rs 7,500 crore for the financial year 2009-10, he revealed.
The outlay has been increased from the current year’s outlay of Rs 6,200 crore and sent to the Planning Commission for approval, he said.
Interestingly, the outlay is almost double the outlay for 2006-07, the year the Akalis had come to power.
He said the budget deficit of the state had been reduced from Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 700 crore last year.
He added, “The aim is to reduce the deficit to zero by next year.”
On the chances of online lottery being started in the state, he said the idea is being discussed.
‘I’m happy to see Sukhbir as Dy CM’
Putting to rest all speculation about his absence at the swearing-in ceremony of his cousin Sukhbir Singh Badal as deputy chief minister in Amritsar on January 21, Manpreet Badal said he, along with his father and son, were ready for take-off from Bathinda to attend the ceremony, but a technical snag forced them to abandon the plan. He expressed happiness at Sukhbir’s elevation and said he hoped the state would progress faster with him in the Cabinet.
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