BADAL for setting up genuine federal structure

Amritsar, January 26, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that setting up of genuine Federal Structure in the country was the need of hour to fulfill the cardinal ideas of justice, equality and liberty enshrined in the constitution by our great freedom fighters and leaders.

Addressing a mammoth gathering here at Gandhi ground after unfurling the national tricolor flag on the 64^th Republic day, the Chief Minister said that the framers of our constitution had envisaged Federal structure in the country for ensuring the well being of all the sections of society but the policy of the successive Congress governments at the Centre to usurp the powers of the states, has today turned India into a unitary state. He bemoaned that our great freedom fighters and patriots had laid down their lives during freedom struggle for ensuring the welfare of countrymen but it was unfortunate that the unitary structure of governance in country has given birth to a number of problems due to which the dreams of our forefathers still remains unfulfilled.

Citing an example regarding infringement of state’s right by the Union government and its serious repercussions, the Chief Minister said that as per the constitution Agriculture was a state subject but now grabbing it the Centre was fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops and finalizing the prices of diesel and fertilizers besides other Agriculture inputs due to which the agonies of farmers have increased manifolds. He said that due to non remunerative MSP and the escalating costs of agricultural inputs, farming has no longer remained a profitable venture. Mr Badal said that due to such ill conceived policies the hard working farmer of the state was under reeling under heavy debt of more than Rs 32000 crore adding that as per the figures of Union government more than 2.90 lakh farmers across the country have been forced to commit suicide.

The Chief Minister categorically said that the system of running government in the country needs to be amended not only for fulfilling the aspirations of our great freedom fighters but also for eradicating social evils like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and others which were engulfing the nation.  Therefore, he emphasized that the states need to be strengthened by giving them more financial and political autonomy, especially with regard to decision-making process on issues of local and regional development. “Federalism was the only key to cherish the dreams of our forefathers to build strong and sovereign nation” added Badal.

Recalling the great contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle, the Chief Minister said that watershed movements like Kuka, Ghadar, Babbar Akali, Pagri Sambhal Jatta, Gurdwara Sudhar, Parja Mandal and others were spearheaded from this sacred land adding that great martyrs and freedom fighters like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Diwan Singh Kalepani, Baba Ram Singh and Sohan Singh Bhakna besides several unsung heroes made supreme sacrifices to free our motherland from the shackles of slavery. He also said that it was a matter of pride for them that despite of being 2.5% of the total population of the country Punjabis had made supreme sacrifices during the national freedom struggle and more than 80% of freedom fighters, who were imprisoned, executed or exiled during the movement for attaining independence, belonged to Punjab.

Expressing gratitude towards the people of Punjab for their historic mandate to bring the SAD-BJP government back in power for the second consecutive term, the Chief Minister said that this verdict has filled them with even greater humility and responsibility to fulfill the promises made to the people. He said that during last six years this government has worked hard to promote communal harmony, peace, brotherhood and amity in the state due to which despite of being a border state, Punjab was today the most peaceful state of the country. He said that not only this but the SAD-BJP government also has the rare distinction of representing every strata of the society due to which Punjabis irrespective of their caste, colour or creed terms it as their own government.

Renewing the pledge to take the people towards a society that matches the aspirations of freedom fighters, the Chief Minister said that to put Punjab on the fast track of development, the SAD-BJP Government has taken bold initiatives coupled with pragmatic policies and programs due to which an era of unprecedented development has been ushered in the state. He said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government Punjab, which earlier ranked 14^th in the country today leads it in the field of education. He said that in order to provide quality education to youth the state government has in a path breaking initiative opened nine new universities besides 17 colleges.

Likewise the Chief Minister said that fully aware of the fact that Power was the engine of growth in a state’s economy the SAD-BJP government has laid special thrust to increase power production in the state. He said that work was going on in full swing at three thermal plants in Talwandi Sabo (1980 MW), Goindwal Sahib (1860 MW) and Rajpura (2100 MW) adding that after the commissioning of these plants the state would become a power surplus state by next year. 

The Chief Minister further said that the state toady leads the country in the field of Infra structure development adding that a whopping investment of Rs 76000 crore was being made for the construction of four/six laning express highways on the major roads in the state. He also said that to provide hassle free journey to the people the work of strengthening and upgradation of all the rural roads network in the state would be completed within three years at the cost of Rs 1700 crore. Likewise he said that Rs. 10,000 crore would be spent in the coming years to equip all the 147 cities and towns of the state with facilities like uninterrupted power supply, 100% drinking water & sewerage coverage besides, proper solid waste management and smooth traffic flow.

The Chief Minister further said that due to the efforts of state government Punjab’s performance on Health Infrastructure has been adjudged “excellent” by agency of Government of India. He said that the state government has started a crusade against Cancer in the state for which two super Specialty Max Hospital at Bathinda and SAS Nagar (Mohali) besides two Cancer Diagnostic & Treatment Centres at Bathinda and Faridkot have been set up. He also said that to provide world class treatment to cancer patients an ultra modern hospital on the lines of Tata Cancer hospital Mumbai would come up soon at Medicity for which the state government has already allocated 50 acres of land.

Underlining the commitment of state government to provide new employment opportunities to the youth, the Chief Minister said that in its previous term the SAD-BJP government had provided employment to more than 1.25 lakh youth adding that to further enhance the prospects of employability of youth a network of skill Centers has been set up across the state. He also said that Punjab government has embarked upon an ambitious program of the cleaning of the river Satluj, the Beas and the Ghaggar at a cost of about Rs.2500 crore by ensuring facilities of proper drainage and safe drinking water with the installation of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) as well as Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in 44 towns on these rivers in the state.

Reiterating the commitment of state government to protect honour and dignity of women, the Chief Minister said that the state government was fully sensitized about the crime against women due to which they have decided that women SHO would be appointed at every Police station for which recruitment of 500 women Sub Inspectors would be done. Mr Badal said that he had also issued directions that no women would be called to the Police station for any enquiry and the Police accompanied by a lady officer would examine the facts at her residence in presence of her family members.

Exhorting the people to play a proactive role in developing the state, the Chief Minister said that public support was very crucial for ensuring the all-round development of the state. He said that the active co-operation of people would go a long way not only in developing the state but also in realising the dreams of our great freedom fighters.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by J Elinchelian, IPS and took a salute during an impressive march past by 19 contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Forest Guards, NCC Cadets, Bharat Scouts and Guides besides the Punjab Police band and other school bands.  The students of various local schools presented a colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance, PT show and group singing. Number of tableaux from various departments aptly depicted the ongoing developmental activities of the State Government.   On the occasion Mr Badal also honoured the Freedom fighters for their valuable contribution towards the country. He also gave tri-cycles to the physical challenged persons and honoured the eminent personalities from different walks of life for their outstanding services towards the society.