Tribune News Service

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, June 19

The Union Government is fully committed to resolving the issue of farmers but they too should adopt a positive attitude towards dialogue so that the issue can be resolved. This was stated by Union Minister Som Parkash, while interacting with the media at Ashish Hotel here today.

He said the first demand of the farmers was to repeal the laws due to which the matter was not resolved. “I have personally tried to persuade their leaders and they hope that the matter will be resolved soon,” he said. Talking about the post-matric scheme, he said due to the scam in Punjab, the scheme of the entire country has come to an end and we have re-launched it and now 60 per cent of the centers and 40 per cent of the states will contribute. He said the Punjab Government had not accounted for the last three years due to which Punjab was not getting the benefit.

Regarding the agreement reached between Akali Dal and BSP, he said any party can come to an agreement with anyone. Asked if the BJP would form an alliance with anyone, he said it was not the time for elections.

Continuing the development process, he said a bypass of about 10 km would be constructed from Bahuan village on the Phagwara-Banga road to Chachradi which would be connected to Jalandhar-Ludhiana GT Road for which the work has already been started. He said soon the outer ring road of Phagwara city would also be constructed.

He added the work of the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road, which was to be widened, has been completed. Crores of rupees have been sanctioned for this. He said the road from Sugar Mill Chowk to Nakodar would also be widened and Rs 15 crore has been sanctioned from Phagwara to Darvesh village, an area of Kapurthala district.