“Punjab was bifurcated in 1966. It lost its territory and Haryana was created. Later Himachal Pradesh was also carved out. So what is there to celebrate in the name of the Punjabi Suba? Punjab has actually shrunk and is just a small state now. In previous years, the Shiromani Akali Dal governments have never marked Nov 1 as Punjab Day. So why this move to celebrate 50 years? Does it have anything to do with the impending elections three months from now,” asked agriculturist Baldev Singh.
Punjab, the Green Revolution state that contributes 50 per cent of foodgrains to the national kitty despite having just 1.54 percent of the country’s geographical area, is facing a crisis on the agriculture front with farming not being viable and indebtness leading to suicides. The state’s once flourishing industry in Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Mandi Gobindgarh is passing through its worst times with most units shifting to neighbouring hill states to cash in on tax holiday benefits.
“Industry has moved from Punjab in the past decade. Agriculture is in a mess. Drugs are a major problem. Corruption is rampant. Only the ruling Badal family has done well while Punjab is under a huge debt. Out of the last two decades, the Akalis have ruled Punjab for 15 years. They cannot blame anyone else for the state’s present condition,” said Congress leader Rajinder Deepa.
In comparison, Haryana has struck a goldmine with Gurgaon, adjoining the national capital New Delhi and development in the national capital region (NCR) areas. Nearly half of Haryana is now part of the NCR and reaping benefits.
The Gurgaon-Manesar-Bawal belt is home to multi-national companies, big industry, Information Technology (IT) and software giants and corporate offices.
Both states, however, continue to battle with contentious issues like sharing of river waters and claim over Chandigarh and some other areas. At times, like in recent months, the bitterness over these issues goes out of hand.
(Sourced from agencies, feature image courtesy:oneindia.com)
