The country's next financial hub to be developed from Mohali to Kharar: Sukhbir Singh Badal
Dera Bassi (The Uttam Hindu) :
Speaking at the 'Punjab Bachao' (Save Punjab) rally held in Dera Bassi, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal asserted that if voted to power in 2027, the region—comprising Mohali, Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, New Chandigarh, and Kharar—would be transformed into the country's next major financial hub, modeled after cities like Mumbai and Gurugram. He stated that this area would see the development of IT hubs, tourism projects, industrial centers, metro connectivity, improved road infrastructure, and world-class waste management systems.
Addressing local issues within the Dera Bassi assembly constituency, Sukhbir Badal pledged that should the party come to power, local demands would be resolved on a priority basis. These demands include the establishment of a large-scale hospital in Zirakpur; a canal-water supply scheme to provide drinking water to Zirakpur and Dera Bassi; the construction of colleges for girls in Dera Bassi and Lalru; and the granting of Sub-Tehsil status to Handesra.
Lashing out at rival parties, Sukhbir Badal remarked that the collusion between the AAP and the Congress during the Block Committee elections makes it evident that the two parties may join forces to contest the 2027 Assembly elections together. Attacking AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal, he accused him of being a habitual liar. Sukhbir stated that Kejriwal often claims that the welfare schemes currently being provided to the people of Punjab would be discontinued if the AAP government were to fall. However, he pointed out that Kejriwal needs to realize that the majority of the welfare schemes currently in operation are, in fact, the legacy of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Conversely, he alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party has either completely scrapped or drastically curtailed key welfare initiatives introduced by the Akali Dal—such as the Old Age Pension scheme, the *Atta-Dal* (Flour and Pulses) scheme, the *Shagun* scheme, and the SC Scholarship schemes.
Sukhbir further asserted that having faced rejection in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal has now come to Punjab to hoodwink the local populace, and that the Aam Aadmi Party is currently surviving solely by subsisting on the state's public exchequer. He stated, "I am confident that the people of Punjab will no longer entertain Delhi-based parties."
Sukhbir announced that, upon the formation of a Shiromani Akali Dal government, farmers would be provided with a 12-hour daily supply of electricity during the daytime. He also declared that a 'World Skills University' would be established, which would impart vocational skills to 100,000 youths annually. Furthermore, he proposed offering interest-free loans of ₹10 lakh to the youth.
Additionally, he announced the revival of the 'Atta-Dal Scheme,' an increase in old-age pensions to ₹3,100 per month, and an enhancement of the 'Shagun Scheme' benefit to ₹1 lakh.
Despite the rain, people turned out in large numbers to attend today's rally. Praising N.K. Sharma, the former MLA from Dera Bassi, Sukhbir Badal stated that Sharma would be appointed as the next Finance Minister once the Akali Dal returns to power. He gave an assurance that world-class development works would be undertaken in this region.