Union Minister reviews Aspirational District Program in Ferozepur

Ferozepur, November 21, 2024: Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu visited this border district to review the ongoing projects under centrally sponsored Aspirational District Programme. While emphasizing on the transformation of this border district from an “aspirational” to an “inspirational” district, the Minister exhorted the officials to work with dedication to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach every eligible beneficiary.

While addressing the officials, Sahu said that the common man would get benefit of the government schemes at the ground level, when the officials would make it a point to reach out to them. 

Earlier, the minister paid floral tributes at the Samadhi of the martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and B K Dutt at National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala. Later, he held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma and other officials to assess the progress of developmental initiatives, including healthcare, education, and agricultural diversification.

During the meeting, DC Deepshikha Sharma briefed the Union Minister Sahu about various development works carried out in the district under the Aspirational District Program with the help of grants received under aspirational district and CSR funding. She said that under the Aspirational District Program in the district, 200 Anganwadi Centers, 5 ambulance services, 7 sewerage cleaning machines, establishment of PHC Mallanwala and Kassoana, medical equipment in health institutions, RO systems in government schools etc. have been done. DC Deepshikha assured the union minister that whatever funds will be received under the Aspirational District Program, the same will be used for various development works and no stone will be left unturned to make this district from aspirational to inspirational.

The union minister appreciated the efforts of the administration in improving the sex ratio, for diversification of crops, providing special care for the physically and mentally challenged kids, to control stubble burning, setting up of solar power plants in government schools, smart class rooms, setting up agriculture lab and chilly cluster in the district and other initiatives. He said that Punjab has the potential to show the path to other states of the country.

While condemning the state government, the union minister said that there is no dearth of funds by the central government but the state government has failed to use the funds sent by the centre. “The fate of this border district would have been changed had the funds sent by the centre government for various development projects in this district, would have been used properly”, alleged Sahu.

The union minister concluded his visit by offering prayers at Gurdwara Sri Guru Ramdas Puri in Armanpura and inspecting the under-construction primary health center in the village. He directed officials to expedite its completion to provide modern healthcare facilities to nearby residents.

Senior officials, including ADC (G) Dr. Nidhi Kumud Bambah, ADC (D) Lakhwinder Singh Randhawa, and Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajwinder Kaur, accompanied the minister during the visit.