Sukhbir Badal Promises District Status for Khanna and Jagraon at Punjab Bachao Rally
March 10, 2026
ETT News / Ludhiana
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), on Tuesday announced that his party would grant district status to Khanna and Jagraon if it forms the government in Punjab, stating that the move would boost local economies and improve administrative services for residents.
Addressing a large rally in Khanna as part of the party’s Punjab Bachao campaign, Badal said the long-pending demand of the people of the region deserved to be fulfilled so that citizens could access government services more easily and development could accelerate in the area.
Badal also announced that the Khanna grain market, known as Asia’s largest grain market, would receive ultra-modern infrastructure and upgraded facilities under an SAD government. He said the current infrastructure and amenities in the market require significant improvement to meet modern standards.
Highlighting issues concerning commission agents, Badal promised that the party would work to increase the commission for arhtiyas on wheat and paddy procurement from the present 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, the rate that existed during the government led by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He said the livelihood of arhtiyas directly affects farmers, and protecting their interests is essential for the agricultural economy.
Speaking about future development plans, Badal said the SAD would promote the IT sector in Punjab and attract investment to cities such as Mohali and Amritsar, which he described as suitable hubs due to their skilled workforce and modern infrastructure, including airports.
He also stressed the need for a special industrial package for border districts and the Kandi belt to strengthen local economies and generate employment. According to Badal, the party would ensure that at least 75 per cent of jobs in new industries go to Punjabi youth.
Criticising Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Badal accused the state government of wasting public resources on publicity and failing to adequately support farmers and poor families awaiting benefits such as crop compensation and welfare schemes.
Badal further said the next SAD government would take strict action against gangsters and the drug mafia by introducing legislation to deny them bail and confiscate their properties. He also pledged to prevent industrial and sewage waste from entering the Sutlej River and Beas River, calling it necessary to address rising health concerns in the Malwa region.
Among other promises, Badal said an SAD government would revive the traders’ relief scheme, reserve 50 per cent seats in medical and engineering colleges for meritorious students from government schools, establish medical and veterinary colleges in every district, and create a Skill University to train youth according to industry needs. He also announced interest-free loans of ₹10 lakh to encourage young entrepreneurs.
Several party leaders, including Biba Jasdeep Kaur Yadu, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Hira Singh Gabria, Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, Sarabjit Singh Jhinjar, Paramjit Singh Dhillon and Jaspal Singh Bittu Chatha, also addressed the rally.
Sukhbir Singh Badal News Shiromani Akali Dal Punjab Bachao Campaign Khanna District Status Demand Jagraon District Status Announcement
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