Punjab Government to eradicate maladies inherited by successive state governments as humble tribute to martyrs and freedom fighters- CM

Issru (Ludhiana), August 15, 2023: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that the state government will eradicate all the maladies inherited by it from the successive state governments to realize the dreams of martyrs and freedom fighters of the country.

Addressing the gathering here during a function to mark the martyrdom day of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, the hero of Goa liberation, the Chief Minister said that problems like corruption and drugs have flourished in the state due to the patronization by the then governments. However, he said that his government has adopted a zero tolerance policy towards these maladies that have ruined the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already crackdown on the corrupt elements in the state and corruption has been weeded out of the state.

The CM was also accompanied by Khanna MLA Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura, along with Chairman Navjot Singh Jarg, besides several others.

The Chief Minister said that now the state government has formulated a new policy to break the backbone of drugs in the state. He said that besides channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive direction through the medium of sports, the state government is vehemently making efforts to check the supply line of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann the results of this anti-drug crusade will be visible to the masses every soon as besides incentivizing the drug free villages every effort will be made to rehabilitate the drug victims.

The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali International Airport has already been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh adding that the Punjab assembly has already passed a resolution for naming of Halwara airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, which will be a humble tribute to the martyr. Bhagwant Mann further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy.  He said that naming these institutions after great national leaders can inspire our youth for selfless service towards the country.

Batting for Bharat Ratna award for the legendary martyrs like Shaheed Udham singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, the Chief Minister said that it will be a humble tribute to these heroes who had made unparalleled sacrifices for the country. He said that bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to these iconic martyrs will enhance the prestige of this award. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these great martyrs really deserve this award because they had made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches.

The Chief Minister said that the life and sacrifice of these legendary martyrs are a source of inspiration for all of us. Bhagwant Singh Mann recalled the stellar role of an iconic martyr in the national freedom movement. He said that it is a matter of great pride for us that Punjabis have played a leading role in the national freedom struggle.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has already enhanced the ex-gratia given to Armed forces personnel in case of any mishap during duty. Likewise, he said that the family of corona warriors who had attained martyrdom during duty have also been given ex-gratia grants, which the government at that time ignored. Bhagwant Singh Mann also announced to give regular service to employees who were recruited during corona times but were ousted later on adding that these people will be duly recruited in the health department where manpower is required.   

Paying tributes to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, the Chief Minister said that the martyr was the hero of the liberation of Goa from Portuguese imperialism. He said that the people will always remain indebted to this great national hero for his supreme sacrifice. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is fortunate to have got this opportunity to visit this sacred place.

However, the Chief Minister bemoaned that none of the earlier Chief Ministers had ever bothered to visit this place associated with a great martyr. He said that those leaders were least bothered about these martyrs who sacrificed their lives for a sovereign and independent nation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Aam Aadmi Party was a true secular and patriot party which is committed for the well being of the state.

Slamming the former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister said that these opportunist leaders had never been with the people but they had always sided with either Mughals or Britishers or Congress and now with BJP whatever has suited them. He said that to appease the Britishers these people had described revolutionaries like Shaheed Bhagat Singh as ‘misguided youth’, so no one can expect them to come to such pious place to pay homage to a great hero. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had always given preference to their own vested interests over that of the state and its people. 

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid homage to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru at his native village and also felicitated Mrs. Charanjit Kaur, the widow of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru.