Amritsar: Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and sought a special financial package to revive economic activity, industry and trade in the district’s border belt.In a letter to Sitharaman, Aujla said Attari, Ajnala, Ramdas and adjoining villages had faced prolonged economic challenges, with the closure of cross-border trade with Pakistan affecting transporters, clearing agents, labourers, traders, warehouses and thousands of families dependent on border trade.He said inadequate industrial investment and employment opportunities had also pushed industries and investments towards neighbouring states, creating concerns for local youth.Aujla highlighted the vulnerability of the Ajnala-Ravi belt to floods and extreme weather, which have repeatedly damaged roads, agriculture and public infrastructure. He sought a dedicated development plan for the border areas.Citing Amritsar’s importance as a major international tourism destination because of the Golden Temple and Attari-Wagah Border, Aujla said the border belt had not received development commensurate with its strategic and economic importance.He sought a multi-year package covering industrial revival, new investments, MSME development, roads and bridges, improved connectivity and flood-resilient infrastructure.
