DEPUTY
CHIEF MINISTER UNFURLS THE NATIONAL FLAG AT PATIALA
SUKHBIR BADAL CALLS FOR DRUG FREE PUNJAB
PATIALA JANUARY 26, 2009
The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Sukhbir
Singh Badal today called upon the people of Punjab to work in
unison with the SAD-BJP Government to eradicate the menace of
drugs from the state and establish Punjab as an ultra modern
ideal drug free state.
He was addressing a largely attended gathering
on the historic occasion of India's 60th Republic Day celebration
function despite of dense fog and chilled atmosphere here at
YPS stadium, after unfurling the National Flag.
Extending his warm greetings to all Indians especially
Punjabis living all over the world, Deputy CM reiterated the
firm commitment of SAD-BJP government to improve the economic
and social conditions of a common man particularly farmers and
poor people by providing them better opportunities and facilities
in terms of more employment generation, imparting better education,
health care by upgrading existing infrastructure etc.
Reminiscing the incomparable contributions of
Punjab in bringing about the historic moment of Independence
of this great nation, Mr. Sukhbir said that 80% of the great
warriors, who had made supreme sacrifices for attaining freedom,
belonged to Punjab. He said our martyrs who shed every drop
of their blood and had languished in jails, have left a rich
legacy for all of us which demands constant love for our motherland
and firm commitment to preserve the glory of our country".
Bemoaning Mr. Sukhbir said that our freedom fighters and patriots
laid down their lives for the betterment of our countrymen but
it was a sad plight that the aspirations of our freedom fighters
had not yet been cherished because they dream of an Independent
India free from the maladies of illiteracy, unemployment and
starvation. Now it was our duty to change their dreams in to
reality, added Mr. Badal.
Mr. Badal said that today one of the major challenge
for them was the restoration of the faith of the people in the
system for which government was fully committed to revamp the
entire system at grass root level and to completely weed out
the corruption from the system to provide good governance to
the people. The State government had already setup an Administrative
Reforms Commission to provide public utility services in Police
and civil administration to the people in a transparent and
accountable manner in order to save them from undue harassment,
added Mr. Badal.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the
sole agenda of their government was the welfare of a common
man and SAD-BJP government since its inception had taken several
initiatives for the overall development of the state. SAD being
a party of a common man involved with the people at grass root
level and devoted to serve them in the right earnest, he said
that their government had taken various measures to ensure overall
development and progress in the areas of power, industry, agriculture,
education and infrastructure etc.
He added that the state government was committed
to make Punjab a power surplus state by 2011 by adding about
6700 MW to existing capacity. He also informed that work had
already been commenced at Thermal Plants near Talwandi Sabo
(2000 MW) and Goindwal Sahib (600 MW)and two other Thermal Plants
near Patiala (1500 MW) and Gidderbaha (2600 MW) were in the
advanced stage of implementation.
Regarding the existing canal network in the state
Mr. Badal said that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister
Mr. Parkash Singh Badal a canal revamping project at a cost
of Rs. 3200 crore had been approved to enhance the irrigation
canal water supply for the farmers of the state.
He appealed the people to continue their endeavor to ensure
a new era of overall growth and prosperity besides lasting peace
to the state by displaying the legacy of high moral values as
preached by our great gurus, saints and seers to strengthen
the traditional secular bonds of communal harmony and brotherhood.
He further urged people to come forward and solicit their wholehearted
cooperation and support to his mission to make Punjab a drug
free state. He further said that to utilize the state's youth
potential in a constrictive manner government would soon announce
its Sports Policy to augment at least 10 popular games by providing
world class infrastructure to young budding players.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister inspected the parade and
took a salute during an impressive march past by the contingents
of Punjab Police, GRPF, Punjab Home Guards and NCC Cadets. A
colorful variety programme including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance,
PT show presented by the students of various local schools and
colleges regaled the audience. Tableaux from various departments
depicting the on going developmental programmes of the State
Government were also exhibited in the march past.
The Deputy Chief Minister also distributed tri-cycles
to the physical challenged persons and sewing machines to the
poor and needy women. He also announced a grant of Rs. 1 Lac
for the students who participated in the RD function. He also
honoured the prominent personalities for their contribution
in their respective fields.
Prominent amongst others who were present on
the occasion included General secretary SAD Prof. Prem Singh
Chandumajara , Former Minister Mr. Harmail Singh Tohara, Former
Minister Surjit Singh Kohali, Chairman Distt. Planning Committee
Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Chairman Zila Parishad Patiala Mohinder
Singh Lalwa, Former Minister Hamir Singh Ghagga, Mr. Madan Lal
Jalalpur MLA, District SAD President Patiala Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur,
Formar President SGPC Prof Kirpal Singh Badunger, Chairman Improvement
Trust Mr. Indermohan Singh Bajaj, Mayor Municipal Corporation
Patiala Mr. Ajitpal Singh Kohali,, Distt. President Urban BJP
Mr. Balwant Rai, Distt. President Rural BJP Mr. Ravinderpal
Singh Ginni, Senior Deputy Mayor Mr. Anil Bajaj, Senior SAD
leader Nirmal Singh Haryoo, Chairman BJP Viopar Cell Mr. Ramesh
Kumar Kuku and Commissioner Patila Divison Mr. Jasbir Singh
Beer, IG Patiala Zone Mr. C.S.R. Reddy and besides senior officers
of judiciary, Civil and Police administration of Patiala District.
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