Punjab CM Mann meets PM, seeks financial package

New Delhi, March 24: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought a financial package of Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre spread over two years in a bid to revive the state’s battered economy. Mann called on Modi at his office at Parliament House and said the previous governments had left a whopping burden of Rs 3 lakh crore on the state and demanded an immediate package of Rs 50,000 crore each for two years to put the economy back on the rails. The Chief Minister said the financial help would help Punjab become economically viable in the third year. Raising the issue of national security, Mann also solicited support from the Union Government to foil the attempts of what he said were “inimical forces across the border” which he said were well equipped with the latest techniques and equipment. Terming the outcome of his maiden meeting with Prime Minister as positive, Mann said the latter promised to provide “all possible support” to make Punjab a vibrant state. Mann, who presented a shawl and a bouquet to the Prime Minister, told the media: “If Punjab make rapid strides in development, then India will also prosper.” (UNI)