New Delhi, March 26: A comprehensive reform blueprint for Punjab, spanning agriculture to law enforcement, was presented to Union Home Minister Amit Shah by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, who met him to discuss the state’s evolving challenges.
Sandhu submitted a 17-point proposal developed with input from former administrators and experts, outlining measures aimed at addressing structural issues across multiple sectors. These include employment generation, industrial growth, health services, education, water resources, pollution control and drug-related concerns.
The MP also focused on revitalizing the cooperative sector, which he described as a critical pillar of Punjab’s rural economy. He proposed the establishment of a regional centre of the Central Cooperative University in the state and called for enabling cooperative societies to expand into food processing.
“Strengthening cooperatives can open new avenues and help address stagnation in agriculture,” Sandhu said, while also pointing to delays in digitizing cooperative institutions as an area requiring immediate attention.
Flood mitigation was another key concern raised during the meeting. Sandhu presented a data-driven report urging the Centre to adopt a long-term, coordinated strategy. “A permanent solution to recurring floods in Punjab requires a comprehensive plan,” he said.
He also briefed Shah on the political climate in the state, stating that recent outreach efforts have boosted party morale. “There has been visible enthusiasm among workers after the Moga rally, and public support is growing,” he said.
Separately, Sandhu has been advocating for major infrastructure upgrades in the region. In a recent intervention in the Rajya Sabha, he called for a metro rail network in the Chandigarh Tricity to address increasing congestion and population pressures.
He noted that the region is expanding rapidly and could see its population exceed 40 lakh by 2041. Without a mass transit system, he cautioned, road conditions could deteriorate significantly.
“Traffic is increasing day by day, and without a modern system, average speeds may decline sharply,” Sandhu told the House, adding that a metro network would improve connectivity and support sustainable urban growth.
