Majithia said the SAD-BJP alliance would launch a crusade for seeking an attractive agriculture and industrial package for the state at all costs. He demanded an early announcement of similar package for its debt-ridden farmers on the Vidharba pattern and grant of liberal concessions for the industry at par with the neighboring states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and J&K.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating newly-executed water supply scheme at a cost of Rs 63.93 lakh in Ayali Khurd village, 8 kms from here, Majithia today squarely blamed the Congress in the state for bringing the state on the brink of economic disaster due to the ill-conceived policies. Referring to the broad outlines of the ambitious World Bank-assisted Punjab Renewal Water Supply and Sanitation Project of Rs 1280.3 crore, Majithia said under this programme, water would be provided to 3,662 villages-2,124 not covered, 920 partially covered and 1,618 where service level has reduced from prescribed norms.

He said 1000 ponds in the villages were also being renovated under this programme. Referring to the water supply schemes being taken up in Ludhiana district, the minister said out of 891 habitated villages in the district, 731 had already been provided with potable water. He added that 166 more villages were being covered at a cost of Rs 4,471 lakh by the end of 2008-09. He said water supply schemes were also being executed in 55 villages falling along Buddha Nullah at a cost of Rs 363.48 lakh, out of which work in 28 villages had already been completed.

The minister announced that a new road from Singhpura to Humbran would be constructed soon. Earlier, he also inaugurated the scheme costing Rs 50 lakh to upgrade Government High School and Rs 10 lakh would be spent on streets and drains in the village.