Punjab was the first love of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away at AIIMS on Thursday. During his tenure as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Punjab was ruled by the opposition SAD-BJP alliance led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from 2007 to 2017. Despite the political divide, Punjab did not face any discrimination in terms of funding. Or projects, as Punjab government officials recalled.
“The then Chief Minister Badal used to meet Dr. Manmohan Singh on his way to Delhi,” said HS Bains, Badal’s former media adviser. “Badal would often fix an appointment with the Prime Minister on the same day, ignoring the formalities required to meet him. Renowned economist Dr. Manmohan Singh would sometimes approve grants or projects with a smile, saying, ‘It’s more in the exchequer.’
Bains also recalled the deep mutual respect between the two leaders. When Dr. Manmohan Singh underwent bypass surgery in January 2009, before the Lok Sabha elections, Badal organized an Akhand Pathan at the Golden Temple for his recovery. “Until the prayers ended, Badal stayed in Amritsar for three days and prayed for the health of Dr Manmohan Singh. After recovering, Dr. Manmohan Singh came to Punjab to campaign for the Congress but refrained from making personal attacks on Badal and Badal also did not criticize the Prime Minister. This is a rare example of monarchy,’ said Bains.
Officials often note that Dr. During Manmohan Singh’s tenure, Punjab never had to face the step-mother’s treatment despite having an opposition government. “Funding never stopped. If you look at old newspapers, you won’t find a single instance of Badal accusing the Center of discriminating against Punjab,” said a senior official.
Interestingly, some Congress leaders in Punjab felt that Dr Manmohan Singh was “too lenient” towards the Akalis. “It was not about the Akalis; it was about Punjab,” said Congress MP and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. “I remember, we once Dr. When we met Manmohan Singh, about 20 of us complained that he was approving projects for Badal, which made it difficult to win the 2012 assembly elections. He told us, ‘Punjab is my first love, and I will always prioritize its needs.’ He also mentioned that he wanted to sanction a big project for Punjab, but Badal often asked for a small grant,” recalled Randhawa.
An anecdote from 2002, when Captain Amarinder Singh was Chief Minister, further illustrates Dr Manmohan Singh’s balanced approach. Bains recalled how Dr Manmohan Singh had interfered in the SGPC elections in Punjab when Amarinder had fortified Amritsar to support the rebel group. “After the intervention of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, the police presence was reduced the same morning,” he said.
In Punjab Dr. Manmohan Singh’s legacy includes a series of transformative initiatives: Rs 2,500 crore in flood-prone areas, pump sets, establishment of IIT Ropar, Knowledge City in Mohali, Central University in Bathinda, Cancer Hospital in Medicity, IISER in Mohali, and a. Integrated Border Check Post at Attari His government announced a loan waiver of Rs 65,000 crore under the Agricultural Loan Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008, benefiting over 3 crore small and marginal farmers.
A retired official shared the story behind Mohali’s Knowledge City, also known as IT City. “Amarinder Singh and the then Chief Secretary KR Lakhanpal sought funds to set up a memorial for the Sahibzads of Guru Gobind Singh. Dr. Manmohan Singh argued that such funds can be used in projects that will benefit future generations. This gave birth to Knowledge City,” said the official.
Dr. Manmohan Singh will forever be remembered in Punjab for putting the interests of his home state above political divides.
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