While advocating the Bharat Ratna for Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh, Punjab Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that it would be a real tribute to our great martyr. He said that after paying floral tributes to our great martyrs, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Raj Mata and B K Dutt and inaugurating the Amar Shaheed Jyoti at Hussainiwala, today.On this occasion, the Deputy CM said that the International Airport at Mohali would be named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh as after getting consent of Punjab and Haryana, the centre government has already taken decision in this regard. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s sacrifice for our country holds highest regard in freedom struggle. He said that the Bharat Ratna would be the real tribute to Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh. He said that for educating the people visiting Hussainiwala about its historical importance, a light and sound system would be set up here soon.
Sukhbir Singh Badal said that it’s a matter of great pride that out of total sacrifices in freedom struggle, contribution of Punjabis was more than 80 percent and for paying tribute to their sacrifices, the Punjab government is constructing Jang-E-Azadi Memorial in the state. He said that only those communities succeed which remember and take care of their history and culture and that is why, under the able leadership of Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, several memorials have been constructed in the state.The Deputy CM said that in last nine years time, the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janta Party led Punjab government has started several welfare schemes and several policies have been formulated for different sections of the society. He said that the development wheel is moving on full swing in Punjab.He further said that for settling farm loans of farmers, the Punjab government has made a new law under which banks or any private person cannot levy rate of interest of his own choice. He said that for any farm loan dispute, tribunals would be set up at district and state level. Similarly, an interest free farm loan scheme up to Rs 50,000 would be started for farmers this year, that would benefit more than one million farmers in Punjab. He said that for farmers with less than 2.5 acres landholding, tubewell connections would be given on priority basis, whereas apart from this 1.5 lakh more tubewell connections would be given. He said that for the welfare of our youth, 1.20 lakh jobs would be advertised for government sector. Similarly, a health insurance scheme has been started for farmers, traders, Atta-Dal card holders and others, through which the entire family can get themselves treated in hospitals for up to Rs 50,000.
While reiterating its stand on river waters, the Deputy CM said that river water with Punjab state is less than even its own demand, so there is no question of sharing it with any other state. He stressed that Punjab, which is the food bowl of the country, its waters would not be shared with any other state. He said that by passing a landmark bill in the Vidhan Sabha, the Punjab government has finished the issue of SYL canal in true sense.While answering a question during the press conference, Capt Amarinder Singh’s truth is now out in open as everyone knows the amount of money stashed in his Swiss Bank accounts. He rejected that it’s a case of political vendetta and clarified that an investigation in this regard was started by the Congress government itself. He said that infact it was Capt Amarinder Singh who had registered false cases under political vendetta, which were found false in the court cases later.Taking an aim at Delhi CM Mr Arvind Kejriwal, the Deputy CM said that his double standards have come out in open from his double speak on the SYL canal issue. Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Aam Aadmi Party just wants to grab power in Punjab by using all kinds of unfair means.
While paying tributes to the martyrs, Punjab BJP president Mr Kamal Sharma said that the Amar Shaheed Jyoti at Hussainiwala is a symbol of communal harmony and integrity. He said that very soon a light and sound system would be installed here with a cost of Rs 5.5 crore and once it starts working, a 25-minute long programme would be organised every evening. He said that Union Tourism Minister Mr Mahesh Sharma has already given his approval for this project.On this occasion, the Deputy CM also welcomed a Cycle Yatra from Khatkar Kalan which was organised by Pedallers Society of India and also planted a tree sapling in the sand collected from the birth places of the great martyrs. He also inaugurated the Kabaddi tournament organised by Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev Memorial Society.Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLA Mr Hari Singh Zira, MLA Mr Joginder Singh Jindu,Mr.Avtar Singh Zira, Mr Vardev Singh Mann, SGPC members Mr Satpal Singh Talwandi, Mr Darshan Singh Serkhan, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhammalanda, Mr Darshan Singh Mothanwala, Mr Tejinder Singh Middukhera, Commissioner Mr V K Meena, Deputy Commissioner Mr DPS Kharbanda, DIG Mr Amar Singh Chahal, SSP Mr Hardial Singh Mann, former MLA Mr Ravinder Singh Babbal, Mr Sukhpal Singh Nannu, Nagar Council president Mr Ashwani Grover, Zila Parishad chairman Mr Baldev Raj Kamboj, Mr Jagraj Singh Katora, besides several others.