In a befitting tribute to the officers of Indian Armed forces, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to enhance the pension of war widows besides extending them facility of free bus passes across the state.Addressing the gathering during a function to mark 50th anniversary of Indo-Pak war here today, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government was committed for ensuring the welfare of the families of brave hearts who had sacrificed their lives at the altar of motherland. He said that in the 1965 war the Indian Army under leadership of Lt. General Harbaksh Singh displayed unmatched valour to combat Pakistan forces, which hardly finds any parallel in world history. Mr. Badal said that the Punjabis inherited a glorious legacy of sacrifice and bravery from the great Sikh Gurus, who taught them to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.
The Chief Minister said that it was a fact that every soldier who joined the Armed forces has a firm determination to sacrifice his life for the sake of nation. He said that our countrymen enjoyed their sleep knowing well that the brave soldiers were safeguarding borders while on duty. Mr. Badal said that probably the Punjab government was the only government in the country to hold first of its kind function to pay homage to the Armed forces.The Chief Minister said that the state government has recently decided to enhance the one time grant for the recipient of Param Vir Chakra from Rs.30 lac to Rs.2 Crore, Mahavir Chakra from Rs.20 lac to Rs.1 crore and Vir Chakra from Rs.15 lac to Rs.50 lac. Likewise, he said that the amount of travelling allowance admissible to war widows has been enhanced from Rs.150 to Rs.500 per month. Mr. Badal also said that the amount of ex-gratia to all battle casualties in case of death has been increased from Rs.2 lac to Rs.5 lac and in case of disability of 75% and above from Rs.2 lac to Rs.4 lac and similarly it has been increased from Rs.1 lac to Rs. 2 lac in case of disability of 50% and above.
Bemoaning that the quota of Punjab in Armed forces has been considerably reduced, the Chief Minister said that state government had taken massive steps to ensure that pristine glory of state in Armed forces was restored. He said that the state government has opened a network of C-Pyte centers to ensure that Punjabi youth were selected in Armed forces. Mr. Badal further said that in order to ensure that large number of Punjabis was selected as officers in Armed forces the state government has opened Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Academy and Mai Bhago Armed Forces institute.Equating the hard working and resilient farmers of the state with the Armed forces personnel , the Chief Minister said that while the latter was safeguarding the borders of country the earlier had made country self reliant in food production. He lamented that despite of his enormous contribution the farming community was facing one of the biggest crisis in the country. However, Mr. Badal vowed to take every step to safeguard the interest of farming community.Earlier the Chief Minister accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha paid tribute to legendary martyr of 1965 war Abdul Hameed at village Asal Uttar.
In his address Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahmpura recalled the unprecedented valour shown by the Armed forces during the war. Likewise, he said that the valiant people of Punjab also displayed extra ordinary courage during the war and extended all sort of help to the war heroes. Jathedar Brahmpura said that by commemorating this event Punjab government has paid real homage to the great war heroes and martyrs of 1965 war.Addressing the gathering Chief of Western Command of Indian Army Lieutenant General KJ Singh lauded the state government for organizing this mega event to pay respect to the martyrs and heroes of war. He said that the war had infused a new spirit amongst all the countrymen, who supported the Army personnel with all resources at their disposal. General Singh said that India's spectacular Victory in battle of Asal Uttar was the real answer to the Pakistani army adding that in future also if Pakistan does any mischief then Indian army will again give a befitting reply (Asal Uttar) to them.In his address Chief Parliamentary Secretary Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha sought intervention of Indian army for organizing a special recruitment camp for border area to provide opportunity to brave youth of area to serve the motherland. He also demanded proper upkeep of roads by Border Road Organization (BRO) and construction of bridges over Defence drains to connect the villages of area.
Later, the Chief Minister also honoured sons of legendary martyr Param Veer Chakra Abdul Hamid, Janaab Ali Hassan and Janaab Jarnail Aalam and Mrs Harmala Gupta daughter of legendary Lt. General Harbakhsh Singh.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Chairman of District Planning Committee Mr. Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, senior Akali leader Bhai Manjit Singh, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, General Officer Commanding Vajra Corps Lieutenant General JS Cheema, General Officer Commanding, Golden Arrow Division, Director Defence Services Welfare Punjab Brig Jatinder Singh Arora (Retd), Deputy Inspector General of Police Kunwar Vijay Pratap and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat.