Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today emphasised the need for maintaining discipline and unity in the party. He assured that all workers will be properly accommodated and rehabilitated after the elections.Capt Amarinder expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in PUnjab saying even after so many days of the assassination of Mata Chand Kaur of the Namdhari sect the police were clueless.Responding to the workers suggestions and complaints against indiscipline and working against the official party candidates during the elections by some leaders, Capt Amarinder said, “nobody can defeat Congress and it was actually COngress that defeats COngress”. He warned that no indiscipline will be tolerated and he will see to it that those found guilty of indiscipline will be strictly dealt with.At the same time the PCC president said, since the party can give ticket to only one candidate, he will ensure that those who may not be able to get the tickets are accommodated as chairmen in various corporations, boards and trusts.
On the issue of drugs, the PCC president said he had already committed under oath to finish the scourge within four weeks. ON the issue of inquiry against Bikram SIngh Majithia, he said, the COngress government may reinvestigate the case if it felt that the investigations were not properly done.
The former CHief Minister agreed with the suggestion that the health and educational services in the government sector needed to be improved. He said, most of the people in Punjab cannot afford medical treatment in private hospitals while the government hospitals were lacking in proper amenities and care. He said, health and education will remain his top most priority.On the education he said, special focus will be laid on recruiting highly qualified teachers for the government schools. He said, there is no reason as why the students from the government schools shall not be able to score as many marks as those in the private schools if proper facilities were provided there.
Capt Amarinder also agreed with the suggestion that cultural and heritage tourism needed to be promoted in Punjab like in the states of Rajasthan. He said, Punjab had a rich culture and heritage and it can be explored and promoted further.The PCC president also assured that not only will his government provide enhanced old age, widow and handicapped pension and also the shagun money, but it will be provided on time also. He said, like in the previous term between 2002 and 2007 he had imposed special Re one cess on each bottle of liquor for social welfare fund, he will do the same thing. He said, while the pensions will be enhanced to Rs 2000 per month, shagun scheme amount will be raised to Rs 51,000.Besides, he added, the free electricity limit for the dalits will be increased from 200 to 300 units a month. This facility, he said, will be extended to the minorities like the Christian and Muslims as well.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Milkiat Singh Dakha, Jassi Khangura, Gurcharan Singh Boparai, Pawan Dewan, Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, Vikram Bajwa and others.