Sangrur, -Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today alleged that the state government was not responding to her letters regarding setting up industry in the state with her

ministry’s help.

“My ministry usually receives numerous applications from other states for new projects, but my own state’s farmers and industrialists are hardly applying. Their presence is negligible as the

Congress government is not spreading awareness about our projects and incentives,” Harsimrat said after attending a seminar organised by her ministry here.

“Of the Rs 6,000-crore projects, I want to give the maximum to my state. But the Chief Minister, Finance Minister and the bureaucrats are not taking my letters seriously due to political reasons.

Participants from all over the world are keen to attend World Food India-2017 in November, but Punjab has not applied yet despite my repeated reminders,” she said.

She said PAU officials were misleading the CM by claiming that the crop losses were meagre. She demanded action against Vikas Barala, main accused in the Chandigarh stalking and

abduction bid case, but didn’t reply when asked whether Vikas’ father, Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala, should resign.

Former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa and other SAD leaders were present at the seminar. No Congress leader attended the event, even as district party president Raja Beerkalan

said they were not invited as SAD leaders didn’t want their participation in Central Government functions.