Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to perpetuate the rich cultural legacy of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government was making concerted efforts to make the younger generations aware about glorious history of the state.
Addressing a mammoth public gathering after laying foundation stone of Baba Moti Ram Memorial here today, the Chief Minister said that Punjabis were known for creating history but for their failure in preserving it. However, he said that for the first time unprecedented steps have been taken by the state government to perpetuate the glorious cultural heritage of the state by constructing world class memorials by spending more than Rs 1000 crore. Mr. Badal said that these memorials would ever act as ‘lighthouses’ for the younger generations.
The Chief Minister said that memorials like Virasat-e-Khalsa, War Memorial and Chapparchiri, Memorials of Small and Big Holocaust and others were being lauded by one and all adding that this year War Heroes Memorial cum Museum , Jang-e-Azadi Memorial and Bhagwan Valmiki Temple cum Panorama Centre would be dedicated to the nation. Likewise, he said that the construction work of Sri Guru Ravidass ji Memorial would also be started soon. Mr. Badal said that top priority of the state government was to maintain communal harmony and peace in the state besides ensuring its holistic development.
Paying floral tributes to Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his family, the Chief Minister said that the martyrdom of these legends was a lighthouse for those people who were continuously fighting against the injustice and tyranny. He said that the state government was committed for perpetuating the rich legacy of the great Sikh Gurus and Khalsa Panth for which stupendous efforts were being made by them.
The Chief Minister said that in order to bail out the farmers from the current crisis the state government was providing free power to them worth Rs 5000 crore every year. Mr. Badal said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab had today emerged as the only power surplus state in the country. He said that the alliance government has ensured regular power supply to all the deras and dhanis across the state, round the clock.Listing the major initiatives taken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that the alliance government has decided to double the pensions given to people under the social security schemes. Likewise, he said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was the only one in the country to start pro-people schemes like Atta-Dal, shagun and others for the well being of underprivileged sections.
Lashing out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership, the Chief Minister said that their sole motive was to plunder the resources of the state. He said that this party has got support in ‘mimickers and entertainers’ in the state as no other person relies on them. “This bunch of opportunists and fugitives aim at ruining the state, which will not be allowed at any cost”, added Mr. Badal.Lashing out at the state Congress leadership, the Chief Minister said that they believe in aristocratic lifestyle and were hardly bothered about concerns of people. Mr. Badal said that the top Congress leaders love to play ‘Polo’ but on the contrary he was always worried about the people and their problems. “I owe every single drop of my blood to Punjabis, so I have fully dedicated my every breath for safeguarding their interests” he added.
Earlier interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that it was a well known fact that the Sikh Carnage of 1984 was a pre planned conspiracy by the then Congress government at Centre. He said that every perpetrator of this heinous crime must be punished in an exemplary manner for meting out justice to the victims. Mr. Badal said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) would continue its relentless efforts to ensure that the executors of Sikh Carnage were brought to the book.The Chief Minister said that in dearth of any issue against the state government the Congress leaders were making false statements to score brownie points before media. Mr. Badal said that rather than indulging in criticism for the sake of criticism, the Congress leaders must cooperate with the state government for ensuring holistic development of the state.
The Chief Minister said that it was on record that state government has helped families of the hapless farmers committing suicide. He said that the state government has shared the grief of such families by giving compensation to them.Replying to another query, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the overwhelming success of Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme. He said that people have availed this first of its kind scheme in the country enthusiastically and with full religious fervor. Mr. Badal said that under this scheme free pilgrimage was provide to devotees to sacred cities of Sri Nanded Sahib, Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Ajmer Sharif under which state government would organize free trains to these cities for the people from Punjab and also provide other logistic facilities to pilgrims.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, MLA Justice Nirmal Singh (Retd.), Chairman of Punjab State Backward Classes Commission Jathedar Kirpal Singh Badungar, Chairman of Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri, former Minister Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria, former MLA Mr. Deedar Singh Bhatti, Vice Chairman of Punjab State Backward Classes Commission Mr. Nirmal Singh SS, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Joint Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha.