78th Independence Day: Local Bodies Minister Balkar Singh Hoists Tricolour

Ludhiana, August 15, 2024: The Minister of Local Bodies, Balkar Singh, hoisted the National Flag at the PAU grounds on Thursday. 

During the event, Singh highlighted the achievements of the Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government in the last 28 months of its regime and emphasized the commitment to transforming the state into a vibrant and prosperous Punjab.

Accompanied by MLAs Ashok Parashar Pappi, Madan Lal Bagga, Jeevan Singh Sangowal, Daljit Singh Grewal, Hardeep Singh Mundian and Kulwant Singh Sidhu, ADGP Mohnish Chawla, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney and Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal, the Minister after hoisting the Tricolour inspected the parade and stated that great martyrs and freedom fighters including Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru & Sukhdev, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh have made unparalleled sacrifices for the sake of independence. It is also a matter of great pride that maximum sacrifices during independence struggle were of Punjabis, who are always frontrunners in  safeguarding the interests of country. 

In his speech, the Minister mentioned that the state government has achieved several milestones, such as providing over 44000 government jobs to youths, establishing 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs), a medical college, and 118 Schools of Education. Additionally, 90% of domestic consumers have availed 300 free units of electricity. The government has also secured investments worth Rs 78263 crores, started Anti-corruption Action helpline, Revenue helpline (8184900002), NRI helpline (9464100168), 1076-helpline for doorstep delivery of citizen centric services, and implemented transport facility in 137 government schools. Other notable achievements include initiatives such as Sarkar Aapke Dwar, 325 hi-tech ambulances, 1000 sports nurseries, 28 underground irrigation pipeline projects, and a new fish market.

The government has also made significant changes to the assistance provided to families of martyred soldiers, such as increasing the ex-gratia grant to Rs 1 crore for families of martyred soldiers, Rs 1 crore for police martyrs, and increased ex gratia grant for physically disabled soldiers to Rs 40 lakh for those with 76-100% disability, Rs 20 lakh for those with 51-75% disability, and Rs 10 lakh for those with 25-50% disability. The monthly financial assistance for non-pensioner ex-servicemen and their widows has been raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000, and the 'war jagir' has been doubled from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per annum for families of soldiers who served in World War II and other wars. 

Singh also solicited sincere cooperation from people to save natural resources especially ground water table by giving a fillip to efforts of Government to contain depleting water table. He told that State Government has been providing Rs. 1500 per acre subsidy on direct sowing of paddy. The plying of buses from across Punjab to Delhi Airport is also a significant achievement of Bhagwant Singh Mann led Government as this service is proving immensely beneficial for the Punjabis and Punjabi Diaspora. The action against illegal encroachers of Panchayati lands is also being welcomed and appreciated by the people, said the Minister and added the government is also strengthening the infrastructure in rural areas to ensure better amenities.
Singh congratulated the people on the occasion of 78th Independence Day by wishing prosperous future of students and further progress of state in time to come.

Earlier, the chief guest took a salute from the march past by contingents of the  Punjab Police (Men and Women), Punjab Home Guards, NCC Scouts (Boys and Girls) and others, led by parade commander IPS Officer Jayant Puri. The march past was followed by a splendid mass PT show by 750 students of 27 government schools, patriotic colourful cultural program presented by students of different institutions including Spring Dale School, BVM School, DAV School and others. 
In a first time, the visually impaired students from the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre in Haibowal sang the national anthem, while speech and hearing impaired students from Red Cross Deaf & Dumb School in Sarabha Nagar presented the anthem using sign language.

The chief guest also honoured the family members of freedom fighters and gave awards to police personnel and participants in the parade. He also distributed tricycles among specially-abled people and sewing machines to the needy. He also awarded several personalities for their excellent services in various fields.
Family of renowned Punjabi poet Dr Surjit Patar was also honoured on the occasion.

In a first time, the visually impaired students from the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre in Haibowal sang the national anthem, while speech and hearing impaired students from Red Cross Deaf & Dumb School in Sarabha Nagar joined them using sign language.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included District & Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa, MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, PAU VC Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, LIT Chairman Tarsem Singh Bhinder, District Planning Board chairman Sharan Pal Singh Makkar, AAP District President Harbhupinder Singh Dharaur, 

The Cabinet Minister also announced holiday tomorrow in the schools of which students participated in the I-day celebrations. 

MLA Ludhiana West Gurpreet Bassi Gogi also dedicated two 100-ft high-mast national flags at Feroze Gandhi Market (adjoining the statue of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha) and near the Sidhwan Canal bridge on Pakhowal Road.