Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that Punjab will be the first state in the country having 100 percent sewerage, water supply and other basic amenities in all the towns of the state at a cost of Rs. 4000 crore in next two years.He was addressing a large gathering at multipurpose stadium here on the occasion of 67th Republic Day celebrations, Deputy Chief Minister unfurled the National Flag and inspected the parade. He said that Punjab would witness to an unprecedented developmental phase in the next 2 years with special focus on economic and infrastructural progress to make Punjab a leading state.
Coming to the achievements of the SAD-BJP government, S. Badal said that during the previous 9 years, the government has undertaken several measures to improve upon the flaws at various levels and as a result of consistent efforts of the government, Punjab is now a power surplus state. "Every major city of the state will be connected with 4 lane and 6 lane highways in the next one and a half years at a cost of Rs. 20,000 crore", he informed.Deputy CM further elaborated that as part of plans to carry out inclusive development of villages and providing basic amenities to the rural areas, a sum of Rs. 6000 crore would be spent in next two years. Listing the achievements in sports field, S. Badal said the state government has established Punjab Institute of Sports (P.I.S.) to attract budding players towards the sports arena. He said "Our aim is to contribute maximum number of players to the Indian contingent in next Olympics". He said the Punjab government had promoted Kabaddi at world level and made it an international sport by organizing 5 Kabaddi World Cups.Deputy CM informed that as part of state government’s commitment to work for the welfare of studious children belonging to poor families, meritorious schools have been opened across the state where the expenses of imparting education, accommodation and food to such students are borne by the government.
Touching the important aspect of action against narco-terrorism, S. Badal said that no drug is produced in Punjab, in fact Punjab Police had been in the forefront of waging war against the drug menace and has nabbed several big fishes among the drug smugglers. Lauding the Police force, Deputy CM said the brave men of our force have demonstrated their steely resolve and determination by combating and the neutralizing the terrorists at Dinanagar and Pathankot.At this momentous hour, Deputy Chief Minister also bestowed 18 state awards to Miss Parul Patiala, Jagjit Singh Ferozpur, ex-constable Karnail Singh, journalist and social worker Dr. Acharya Subhash Puri, Buwanpreet Dhingra Sangrur, Om Parkash Upadhyaya Chancellor Guru Ravidass Ayurveda University Hoshiarpur, Anand Sagar Sharma SDM Hoshiarpur, Rahul Chaba ADC (General) Hoshiarpur, Kulveer Singh Sunam, Gurcharan Singh science master government senior secondary school Dhudi Ke, Moga, Dr. Daljit Singh Horticulture Development Officer-cum-Project Officer Center for Excellence of Vegetables Kartarpur, Vinayak Sareen SBS Nagar, Dr. Inderpreet Kaur Patiala, Dr. Sunil Bansal Medical Officer Malout, Gurmej Singh Gill multi and super-specialty hospital, Jalandhar, Rahul Verma Ludhiana, Navraj Saroa and Baldev Bharti vice president Municipal Council Rahon, SBS Nagar. Besides this, S. Badal also honoured 70 persons from Bathinda districts with awards for their exceptional services.
On the national day S. Badal also announced discretionary grants of Rs 5 lakh each to Mahant Gurbanta Das deaf & dumb school Bathinda and Police DAV public school Bathinda. He also gave away 25 tricycles and 25 sewing machines to the needy and hounoured freedom fighters. Deputy CM also announced holiday for tomorrow for the students who participated in the parade and cultural programs.Among others present on the occasion included Chief Secretary Punjab Sarvesh Kaushal, DGP Suresh Arora, DC Bathinda Basant Garg, SSP Swapan Sharma and other civil and judicial officers.