Chandigarh, Dec 14 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP Coordination Panel today held discussions with the Punjab chief secretary on the fiscal condition of the state.

Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh gave a presentation on the excise and taxation collections in the state.

Punjab BJP chief Rajinder Bhandari, who attended the meeting, said discussions with the chief secretary on the financial condition of the state would continue in the next meeting of the panel. He, however, did not specify the date of the next meeting.

Besides Prof Bhandari others who took part in the meeting were Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia of the BJP, SAD working president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Cooperatives Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh, MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder, a senior SAD leader. Amritsar MP Navyot Singh Sidhu, who is also a member of the panel, could not attend the meeting.

The panel was formed to ensure better coordination between the SAD and its coalition partner BJP. The panel has also been asked to hold meettings with civil officials to take stock of the developmental activities of the government.

The panel would work to ensure the welfare of the people and the state, Prof Bhandari added, UNI