Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today reiterated his firm commitment that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure all round development in the state, as overall growth and prosperity of its people had ever remained foremost and top on his agenda. Addressing a series of Sangat Darshan programs in Balluana Assembly Constituency, Mr. Badal said that the state government had already accorded approval to initiate new projects for rural and urban development with a huge investment of 12,000 crore so as to provide the latest basic civic amenities to the residents in these areas. He said that peace and harmony was the basic fabric to achieve overall development in the state, for which the state government has always cemented the bonds of peace, amity and brotherhood even during the last nine years of its regime, due to which Punjab was known as the most peaceful state of the country. Making firm resolve not to disturb peace and amity in the state, the Chief Minister categorically said that inimical forces posing a threat to state’s peace and communal harmony would never be tolerated at any cost.
Referring to the bold initiatives taken by the state government for the welfare of the farmers, the Chief Minister said that a scheme to provide interest free crop loans to the small farmers has been started, which would benefit nearly 10 lac families from peasantry. He said that a process for the allotment of new tubewell connections has already begun and our government was providing free electricity in the farm sector worth Rs.5000 crore every year. He also pointed out that Bhagat Puran Singh Health Insurance Scheme has been launched for the farmers under which five members of each farmers family could avail the facility of cashless treatment up to Rs.50,000. The Chief Minister also announced to provide 24 hour uninterrupted power in the Dhanis on the pattern of urban domestic power supply.
Mr. Badal further said that the basic objective of the Sangat Darshan program was to ensure on the spot redressal of the grievances/hardships confronted by the local residents. He said that there was no political motive behind this sagacious program. Highlighting the importance of Sangat Darshan program, Mr. Badal said that this was a fine example of democracy as it not only involved the people in the development programmes but also saved lot of time, money and energy in getting their works done by travelling to far off places. Mr. Badal further said that Sangat Darshan programmes were only organized across the state, when pro-people SAD-BJP alliance government was in power. These programmes were also instrumental instilling a sense of service, accountability and transparency amongst the officers and officials of the district administration to make them sensitized to solve the problems of common man on the priority and that too with a missionary zeal.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the people for ensuring personal supervision over the development works being executed in their villages for its timely completion and strict quality control as per the prescribed norms. He said people’s participation in the development process should be their sole responsibility and must be discharged with utmost sincerity and honesty.Badal also impressed upon the youth to join the skill development programmes in allied farming sector by the state government so as to make agriculture as a profitable and viable profession. He said skill development programmes could equip the local youth for value addition in agriculture to supplement their income, which was at present almost static. He said these skill development centres were being opened in all the districts and each member of the family should join to enhance their income manifold.The Chief Minister listened to the grievances of the 12 villages panchayats of Balluana assembly constituency at village Kala Tibba, Rajanwali, Amarpura, Kikerkhera and disbursed development grants to ensure overall development in the region.On the occasion Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Gurtej Singh Ghuriana welcomed the Chief Minister.Prominent amongst others who attended the Sangat Darshan included; Member Parliament from Ferozepur Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Deputy Commissioner Fazilka Ms. Isha Kalia, SSP Mr. Narinder Bhargav, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Kumar Amit, District SAD President Fazilka Jathedar Gurpal Singh Grewal besides several party leaders of SAD-BJP and members of SGPC.