By IANS,
Amritsar : Within hours of being sworn in as deputy chief minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal outlined his vision for the future of the state and said those who did not perform “would have to face the consequences”.
“We have given the government machinery two years to adjust to our new vision and our pace of task accomplishment. Now, those who do not perform to fulfill people’s aspirations or are found to be less than honest should be ready to face the consequences,” he said.
“Accountability would be the key word and I will be the first one to subject myself to the test of accountability,” Badal said in his first statement after swearing-in.
Badal was sworn-in a deputy chief minister in the government headed by his father, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the government would not indulge in vendetta against political opponents but added that anyone who had indulged in corruption would have to face the law.
On the issue of the need for him to join the government, the Akali Dal president said he wanted to contribute more effectively to the development of the state.
“Up to now, I have tried in my humble way to give advisory inputs to the government to steer the state and its people into the new-age development mindset. From now on, my role would be to contribute in a concrete and material way to fulfill the dream for which the people gave us a mandate in 2007,” he added.
Outlining his plans, Sukhbir Singh Badal said it would stress on good governance and paying emphasis to education, modern infrastructure like expressways, generating more power, pushing agriculture ahead, encouraging industry and bringing in administrative reforms.