INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
MLA Kanwar Sandhu said Punjab was facing a severe financial and economic crisis
for Punjab and its inclusion in the list of special category states (SCS).
Mr Sandhu has also written to Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder
Singh in this regard, demanding that he call an all-party meeting on the issue.
"Punjab has a much stronger case as compared to states like
of its people through legitimate legislative means, its inclusion in SCS will help it come out of the economic and financial mess," Mr
reference of the 15th Finance Commission are not revised, Punjab would be hit harder in terms of devolution of funds from the Centre as
compared to states such as Karnataka and Kerala, which are making a similar demand," he said.
Mr Sandhu said it was important these issues
were raised forcefully as Punjab was facing a severe financial and economic crisis.
"Besides, there is disquiet among the people of the
state due to the Centre's indifference to its aspirations and expectations," he added.In his letter to Mr Jaitley, the AAP leader argued
that Punjab was not included in the list of SCS despite it fulfilling three of the five parameters -- strategic location along the borders
of the country, economic and infrastructure backwardness, and non-viable nature of state finances.
At present, 11 of the 28 states are
