Claiming that Punjab's debt has crossed Rs one lakh crore, Union Minister Manish Tewari today alleged that the "negative attitude" of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance has pushed Punjab towards economic disaster.
The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said the agenda of development of the state should be beyond partisan consideration.
The Ludhiana MP said he had ensured that no area in his constituency was left out while sanctioning grant from his discretionary funds during the last five years irrespective of the fact who represented it in the assembly, municipal corporation or panchayats.
Addressing a public function here, Tewari said people's representatives and governments belong to everybody and not to a particular party and they should act accordingly.
Responding to the demand of the people of Jagraon he had sanctioned Rs 51 lakh for fire-brigade vehicle in Jagraon a few years ago, he said.
He, however, regretted that the local Nagar Council authorities and other officials refused to use the money apparently fearing that as a Congress MP, he might get political advantage.
The minister said it was this "negative attitude" of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance that has pushed the state towards economic disaster.
He said instead of accepting the money provided by him, the Nagar Council had taken a loan for arranging the vehicle.
Tewari rued that same was the case with the state whose debt under Akali-BJP regime has already crossed Rs one lakh crore.
He said the money was still lying in the MP's account and urged people of Jagraon to build up pressure against the Nagar Council officials to use that money for buying a fire tender which can be used in case of emergency.
