by Punjabnewsswire4u
AMRITSAR, JAN 26-
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 64th 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 Mr 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. Mr Badal 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. Mr Badal said that due
to the concerted efforts of the state government Punjab, which earlier ranked
14th 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 Mr Badal said thatRs. 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. Mr Badal 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. Mr Badal 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
realizing the dreams of our great freedom fighters.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by Mr 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. Mr Badal 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.
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