Batting for putting an end to undue harassment of the dairy farmers in the name of Gau Raksha, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that stern action would be taken against those who violate law on this pretext.Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Hoshiarpur assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that dairy farming was an allied agriculture activity, which was supplementing the income of farmers in a big way. He said that this allied farming activity which involves cattle rearing and trading should not be discouraged at any cost. Mr. Badal said that all of us should exercise restraint and permit the trade of cattle with valid documentation.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that attack on RSS leader Brigadier (Retired) Jagdish Gagneja was not an ordinary law and order problem. He said that the state Police force was enquiring this attack and the forces behind this attack would be exposed soon. Mr. Badal said that it was a deep rooted conspiracy and as the probe was going on so it was not fair to comment on it.Answering another question, the Chief Minister said that the Shiromani Akali Dal would announce its candidates at an appropriate time. He said that too early and too late announcement of candidates was not beneficial during polls so the party would announce its candidate at proper time. The Chief Minister further said that the state government has taken several pro - people initiatives for ensuring welfare of people.
Mr. Badal said that he personally reviews these schemes regularly for ensuring that maximum people were benefitted from it. However, he said that almost all the beneficiaries of these schemes were satisfied by the performance of state government. Earlier highlighting the significance of Sangat Darshan program during his address in village Khadkaan, Naara and Chohal, the Chief Minister said that it was a flagship program of his government from the first day ever since he assumed the office. He said that this program finds no parallel across the country as no other Chief Minister bothers to spare so much time for the people by solving their problems at their doorsteps. Mr. Badal said that this program helps in quick resolution of public problems on one hand besides judging the performance of the government officers/ officials on the other.Mourning the death of pilgrims going to Mata Chintapurni Shrine during a road mishap near Chohal a few days back, the Chief Minister announced to double the ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of departed souls from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. Sharing heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved families, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to them to bear this huge loss in this hour of crisis.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor and former Minister Mr Tikshan Sud, MLA Jathedar Surinder Singh Bhullewal Rathan, his Joint Special Principal Secretary Mr Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner Mrs Anandita Mitra and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr KS Chahal.