PATIALA, AUGUST 15
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash
Singh Badal today called upon the Centre to strengthen the states by giving
more powers in conformity with its true federal character for realizing the
dreams of our great martyrs and freedom fighters who laid down their lives to
make our country free from the shackles of British imperialism.
While addressing a massive gathering on the occasion of 66th
Independence Day State level Function held here at YPS stadium after unfurling
the National Flag, Mr. Badal said that this
was a day of introspection for all of us to see if we have fulfilled the dreams
of our great freedom fighters but unfortunately, the country still faced with
massive poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, inequality and many other social
evils even after 65 years of
Independence. “We have a
long way to travel for fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of those who
sacrificed their lives for the country”, said Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister asked the Center to give a serious thought for
setting up of a genuinely federal structure in the country as the present trend
towards the unitary system was against the basic spirit of democracy. He said that the tendency of the
Center to usurp the powers and authority of the states already ensured by the
Constitution was detrimental to the interests of the states. Mr. Badal said the real tribute to our
martyrs and heroes on this solemn day would be to cherish the aspirations of
our people by ensuring them a quality life through providing basic civic
amenities like safe drinking water, electricity and sewage system etc., which
could only be feasible if the Center granted more financial and political
powers to the states to realize the dreams of our freedom fighters.
Paying rich tributes to the several known and unknown martyrs and
heroes, the Chief Minister lauded the unprecedented and unique contribution of
Punjabis in India’s Independence struggle. He said that the supreme
sacrifices made by our brave martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru,
Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha would
ever continue to inspire our future generations. He said that though the Punjabis
constituted only 2% of the country’s population but their immense contribution
in the freedom struggle could never be ignored because more than 75% of freedom
fighters who sacrificed their lives, or faced imprisonment were Punjabis. He
said that it was a matter of pride and honour that all the prominent movements
associated with Independence struggle like Kuka Lehar, Ghadar Lehar, Babbar Akali
Movement and Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar were sphereheaded from Punjab.
To
pay a befitting tribute to our heroes and martyrs for their glorious sacrifices
in the freedom struggle, the Punjab government
has decided to set up a world class Memorial, to be known as ‘Jang-e-Azaadi
Yadgar’ at Kartarpur in Jalandhar district.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal thanked the
people of Punjab for giving him an opportunity
to serve them as Chief Minister for the fifth term and second consecutive term
of SAD-BJP regime in the state.
Outlining the major achievements and
development initiatives of the government, Mr. Badal said that Punjab has been
ranked No.3 from the earlier 14th position
in India
on Education Development Index as per report of National University Educational
Planning and Administration. Likewise,
Punjab has also been rated as excellent in the
healthcare infrastructure by the GoI. On
the agriculture front, Mr. Badal said that Punjab has
produced record 278.67 lakh MT of food grains. He also appreciated the Punjabi
farmers for the record production of 179 lakh MT against the target of 153 lac
MT of Wheat during Rabi season 2012. He said that the
prestigious Guru Gobind Singh Refinery at Bathinda at a cost of Rs.19000 crore
has been commissioned and also demanded a special package for Punjab
industry from Center on the pattern of neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh,
Uttrakhand and J&K. He
said that Punjab would soon free from the pollution of river waters as the
state government has already taken a massive program at a cost of Rs.2354 crore
to prevent the discharge of industrial effluents and municipal sewage into the
river Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar by installing effluents treatment plants and
sewage treatment plants in the 44 towns on these rivers.
Mr. Badal also mentioned that to make Punjab clean, green and pollution
free, the state government has launched a vigorous drive to plant 40 crore
saplings in coming eight years in the state. As a part of this “Greening Punjab
Mission” 5 crore saplings were being planted this year alone.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab was
the first state in the country to launch Atta-Dal Scheme for 15.2 lac families
and has provided Atta-Dal to the beneficiaries across the state at a cost of
Rs.1332 crore during the last five years. The government has also enhanced the
amount of Shagun Scheme from Rs.5100 to Rs.15000 given as a financial grant to
Scheduled Castes/Christian girls at the time of their daughter’s marriage. The
state government has provided free education to girls from class 1 to 12th and free cycles to the girl
students of class 11th and
12th under Mai Bhago
Vidya Scheme.
Mr. Badal said that the ongoing development works relating to sewerage
would be completed in the historic city of Patiala at the earliest. He said that the state government had
already released Rs.74 crore out of Rs.103 crore earmarked for this
project.
The Chief Minster unfurled the National Flag and took a salute from an
impressive parade led by the parade commander ACP Mr. Swapan Sharma comprising
contingents of PAP, Punjab
Police, NCC (Boys and Girls), Police Brass Band, Saint John Ambulance Brigade,
Scouts and Girl Guides.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal presented State Level Awards
comprising of a Momento, Citation, Shawl and cash award to 34 prominent
personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields namely Rajender Kumar Verma, Simarjit Singh, Baljinder Singh, Jasvir
Singh and Bhupinder Singh Sandhu for exemplary bravery shown by them on
different occasions. Likewise, Balwinder Singh Bhinder, Parkash Chand Kumar,
Bhan Singh Jassi, Dr. Sukhwinder Dass and Dr.Rashmi Vij for superb services
rendered by them in the field of social service. As many as 17 persons
were honoured with the state awards for the excellent services rendered by them
in their respective learned professions namely Sukhpal Singh, Dr. Harminder
Singh Sekhon, Major Manmohan Singh Verka, Pritpal Singh, Pardeep Gandhi, Naib
Subedar Parmjit Singh, Rajwant Kaur, Kamal Singh, Sant Ram, Abninder Singh
Grewal, Hardeb Kaur Kang, Davinder Singh, Jaswinder Singh Dhaliwal,
Dr.Gaggandip Singh, Dr. Manisha Gupta, Hardip Singh and Kimmti Lal besides four
expert professionals namely Kulbhushan Rai, Sanjeev Thapar, Malkiat Singh and
Narotam Dass Sharma for remarkable contribution in the field of
education. Three
persons viz. Iqbal Gharu, Harwinder Singh Khalsa and Dr. Mohammad Jamil were
also honoured for their outstanding services in the field of literature.
The Chief Minister also presented sewing machines to the needy and
Tricycles to the physically challenged persons and honoured freedom fighters. A grand gala cultural show was
presented by the tiny tots and students of the different schools, colleges and
university. Impressive motor cycle show besides tent pegging and Gatka were the
star attraction of the show. Apart
from this, 14 tableaux highlighted the ongoing progress and developmental
activities of various departments of the State government.
Mr. Badal announced a grant of Rs.5
lakh for the participants of cultural events and also declared a holiday
on August in all the educational institutes of Patiala district.
Prominent amongst others who were
present on the occasion DGP Punjab Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini, Special Principal
Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, besides Prof. Prem Singh
Chandumajra, Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Mr. Surjint Singh Kohli, Mr. Ajaib
Singh Mukhmailpur, MLA Ghanur Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur, MLA Sutrana Vaninder
Kaur Lumba, former MP Rajya Sabha Amarjit Kaur, former CPS Raj Khurana, Zila
Parishad Chairman Mohinder Singh Lalwa, Mayor Ajit Singh Kohil and Vice
Chancellor Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh and District &
Session Judge Raj Sekhar Attri, Divisional Commissioner Ajit Singh Pannu,
Deputy Commissioner GK
Singh, IG Patiala Zone Parmamjit Singh Gill, DIG LK Yadav, SSP Gurpreet Singh
Gill besides the senior leaders and party works of SAD-BJP and members of
SGPC. 
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