Punjab committed to maintain peace at all cost-Sukhbir

SAS Nagar (Mohali), August 15, 2013: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today reiterated the resolve of government to maintain peace in the state at all cost and warned nefarious and anti-national elements against creating any disturbance in the State.

Addressing the people of Punjab after unfurling the tricolour in Independence Day function here today, he said that we have got peace in the state after decade long sustained efforts of our police forces and nobody would be allowed to fiddle with the hard earned peace in the state. He said that Punjab Police was keeping an eye on all such elements and would take all possible preventive as well as curative measures to tackle such elements.

Lauding the role of security forces, Badal said that it was matter of great appreciation that there was no major terror attack in the state as our police force could take preemptive and preventive measures busting three major militant modules. Seeking the cooperation of people in this national exercise, he said that we have to all work collectively to foil the designs of forces to create problem in the state.

Badal, who was running high fever, sat through full function braving the heavy rain. The rains that started just after unveiling the flag continued till the conclusion of cultural program. Addressing the people Badal said that during last 66 years the country has witnessed progress but not to desired level. He said that during last 6 years they moved with a resolve to make Punjab First Power Surplus State of the country and was happy that he would be fulfilling his promise to people of Punjab by December this year. He said that the only aim with which our government returned to power, was to put Punjab on high-trajectory growth path. He said that we have firmed up our plan for rejuvenation of all sectors including rural, urban road infrastructure, Air Connectivity besides widening the ambit of social welfare schemes and promised that within three years, we would change the total face of the state.

Unveiling the new plan for renewal of 147 cities of the state, he said that he has already approved a three phased program for overall turnkey development of all cities that would include 100 percent water supply and sewerage coverage, up-gradation of Power distribution network, 100 percent LED street lights, up-gradation and expansion of internal road network of all cities, intensive coverage of all cities with CCTV besides providing all citizen services under one roof. He said that our government has already set aside Rs. 40000 crore for this massive program and said that within next three years Punjab is all set to witness total transformation of urban skyline.

Thanking the people of Punjab for ensuring peaceful panchayats, panchayat samitis and Zila Parishad polls, Badal said that he was indebted to people of Punjab for giving them 9 consecutive wins in various elections held after Vidhan Sabha elections. He said that after strengthening the democracy at grass root level he has now chalked out a mission to make all Panchayats financially self sufficient besides ushering in an era of development in the villages. Announcing Rs. 24000 crore plan for 13047 villages in the state, he said that big companies would undertake the projects of villages that would include complete concrete roads, sewerage network, sewerage treatment plants besides upgradation of village ponds. He said that the state has already finalised Third Party Audit of Panchayat Funds from January 1, 2014.

Dedicating Rs. 12140 crore plan to link all cities with 4/6 lane roads, Badal said that within next three years, Punjab would be the first state with such a facility. He said that to provide world class connectivity in the landlocked state, the Mohali International Airport would be ready within 18 months, the Bathinda Airport is ready for operation and up-graded Sahenwal Airport would be dedicated to the nation next year. He said that the State has already requested an Airport at Jalandhar and plans are afoot for another international airport at Machhiwara.

Announcing the widening of ambit of Atta-Daal Scheme, the novel scheme by Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal for securing food to all poor families in era of ever rising prices, he said that within three months all remaining poor families would be included in this scheme and hoped that beneficiaries of Atta-Daal scheme would be doubled from 15.47 lakh families to at least 30 lakh families. He also announced another scheme of Rs. 30000 scholarship for meritorious students besides cycles to the girl students. He said that remaining villages would get gymnasiums and sports kits within next two months.

Giving a call to fight the menace of drugs in the state, Badal said that it was unfortunate that Union Government has failed to perform its duty to effectively seal Pakistan border to stop smuggling from across the border. He said that society has to resolve to fight drug menace as we have already lost one generation to the drug addiction.

Promising peace and prosperity in the state, he said that development oriented government has single motto of development and would continue to follow the same for to make Punjab No. 1 state in the country.

The enthusiasm of student participating in the cultural program was seen to believe. The heavy rains could not drown their patriotic fervour and as heavier the rain grew, more enthusiastically they were participating in the function. 

The whole function continued during the torrential rains and Badal enjoyed the proceedings braving the rain despite high fever. He appreciated the enthusiasm of school children, who gave their best performance in heavy rains. Appreciating the enthusiasm, energy and patriotic fervour of the participating students, the Deputy CM announced a special prize of Rs. 1 lakh for the participant students.

He also walked through rains to congratulate and thank freedom fighters and distribute tri-cycles to 11 physically challenged and sewing machines to 25 needy ladies.

Earlier, he unfurled the flag and took salute from march past in which the contingents of PAP, Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC and other para military forces participated. The administration also announced a holiday in all schools and colleges of SAS Nagar on Friday.