Punjab Deputy chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab will witness a revolution in enhancing skill development and generation of self employment as the Union Government has approved to set up 1000 skill development centres in the state and nearly 5 lakh youth will be imparted training from the state every year.Interacting with media persons here after laying the foundation stone of an ITI at village Sofi alongwith Union Minister for State Vijay Sampla, Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab would be the major gainer under 'Skill India' program initiated by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as the skill centres not only provides self employment to youth but also provide professional and skilled work force to the industry. He also announced that all banks would provide loans at low interest upto Rs. 10 lakh to the trainees and entrepreneu to start their units.Replying a question about the proposed domestic airport at Adampur, Mr. Badal informed that administrative work on that project has been completed and the physical work would be initiated soonAnnouncing a major project for the overall development of the villages, Deputy CM said the Punjab government has fixed the next target to provide 100% sewerage, concrete roads and solar lights in all 12,400 villages of the state at a cost of Rs. 35,000 crore in next 5 years. He also informed that out of 167 cities/towns, the work on sewerage and water supply has been accomplished with Rs. 9000 crore whereas the remaining cities would be covered till March 31, 2017 under this project.
Terming Pargat Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu as spent forces, Mr. Badal said “Sidhu got hit wicket whereas Pargat made self goal by joining sinking ship of congress”. Wishing congress good luck to include both leaders, he said “it would not impact SAD in any case as they have lost their faith and credibility by bargaining with various political outfits and now they have finally joined Congress as they failed to receive any buyer”.Earlier addressing the gathering, Mr. Badal has also announced Rs. 1.25 crore for the overall development of village Sofi.In his address Union Minister Vijay Sampla said the SAD- BJP government under the leadership of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has set the new records of development and the coalition would contest elections on the agenda of development and brotherhood.Technical Education Minister Madan Mohan Mittal announced that the classes in this ITI would start from next academic session as the project would be completed within a year at a cost of Rs. 13.85 crore.Prominent among others present on the occasion included youth Akali dal Doaba zone president Sarbjot Singh Sabhi, SAD leader Sarbjit Singh Makkar, Bibi Gurdev Kaur Sangha, Senior vice president of Istri Akali Dal Bibi Rajwinder Kaur Raju, Police Commissioner Arpit Shukla and ADC Gurmeet Singh.