CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal claims to have a magic mantra that along with imposition of user charges would fund implementation of the blueprint for his "vision" for the State over the next five years.

Mr. Badal was addressing a press conference here on Monday to mark the completion of his Akali-BJP government's 100 days in office. Unfolding his "vision" for Punjab, he expressed concern that Punjab had slipped on various counts including agricultural growth, industrialisation, per capita income, education and health facilities during the tenure of the previous government, which he alleged resorted to policies that left a Rs. 52,000-crore debt burden.

Mr. Badal's ambitious plan includes making Punjab surplus in power, provide electricity connection to every household, augment infrastructure to support agricultural and industrial growth, provide quality education with special emphasis on information technology, provide training and employment to one lakh youth, complete urban renewal projects and provide monetary relief to the Scheduled Castes and economically depressed sections of society.

It also incorporates the "bullet train" project which would reduce the travelling time between Amritsar and Delhi to just two hours and exploit the State's tourist potential.

However, the Chief Minister failed to provide a convincing answer to queries related to the funding of these projects, which he promised to complete within the next five years.

"That I shall inform you in our next meeting," he said responding to a question related to the total cost of implementing his projects. However, he hinted at the levy of user charges and more taxes by arguing that "everybody would have to contribute" to the development of the State.

The Chief Minister stressed that diversification was necessary for the State's agriculture, for which he also promised a "soil certificate" for every acre and each farmer in the State.

Arguing that no state could prosper by confrontation, Mr. Badal praised the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre for its "positive approach" towards Punjab, especially in helping it in execution of Centrally sponsored schemes and enhancing allocations for the Special Component Plan.

He disclosed that a special department had been set up to liaison with the Union Government to keep a close watch on various schemes.

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