Local member of parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal has charged the union government, specifically its Congress element, with misleading the people of India on the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI). Speaking with the media here on Thursday, she accused the Congress of adopting double standards on the FDI issue. "They have not only embittered the poor but also not taken the opposition into confidence while deciding," she said. "The policy will hamper the overall growth of the country."

Crores of Indians were dependent upon retail trade for livelihood, she said, adding that permitting the entry of multinational giants into the sector would only push more people into scarcity and desolation.

"The union government was not honest even in distributing the meant for the welfare of the states," said the MP. "It kept 90% of the money in its kitty."

She then referred to the various development works that the Punjab government had initiated. "To the people of Punjab, we gave the RO (reverse osmosis) systems for safe drinking water."

She held sangat darshan programmes in various villages of the district.