"Punjab is just two and a half percent of the country's size but the state has been a major contributor to the granary of the nation hence earning the sobriquet Food Bowl of the nation".Stating this while presiding over the Independence Day function here at Guru Nanak stadium, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Punjabis especially the Sikhs were always in the forefront of freedom movement and suffered untold hardships in the form of life imprisonments and hangings. After freedom also the Punjabis continued to do their best for making the country & state move forward in social, economical and political sphere.Listing out the achievements of the SAD-BJP government during the past 9 years, S. Badal said coalition has acted as the real benefactor of all the sections and fulfilled its promise of making Punjab a power surplus state. Elaborating more, he said the State government is carrying out modernisation of road infrastructure by making all the major roads 4 and 6 laned by spending more than Rs. 20000 crore besides providing sewerage, clean drinking water and LED street lights in 160 cities and towns of the state. Divulging more, he said the SAD-BJP government have constructed airports of international standard at SAS Nagar and Bathinda apart from opening up 12 universities, IIT Ropar and initiating work on IIM Amaritsar to bolster educational sector.
The Deputy Chief Minister further disclosed that Rs. 2500 crore have been spent to give fillip to irrigation sector, free power worth Rs. 6500 crore to farmers being provided, a new pro farmer law enacted as per which interest of one lakh would be payable on availing loan of same amount, no interest is to be levied on Rs. 50,000 agri limit loan, health insurance scheme for farmers, traders & poor sections and shagan scheme to poor strata. He added that 300 skill centers would be opened soon so as to impart latest professional skills to youth besides 389 sewa kendars in urban areas have been operationalised with another 1758 to start functioning soon in rural areas which would change the economic and developmental landscape of the state.He further informed that Rs. 2500 crore have been spent on the all round development of holy city Amritsar with several projects like beautification of area around Sri Durbar Sahib and ongoing beautification of Durgiana mandir which would be completed in 2 months.
Coming to the Industrial sector, S. Badal divulged that the number of industrial units have witnessed an increase from 5000 in 2007 to 11000 at present which is a perfect rebuttal to the misleading campaign of the opposition. Warning rowdy forces out to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of state, he said that such elements would be strictly dealt with.
On the occasion, the Deputy CM took salute from the parade and march-past after unfurling the national tricolour. He also honoured kin of freedom fighters and handed over awards to police personnel and participants in the parade. He also distributed tricycles to the differently abled people. The cultural programme held added colour to the occasion.Among those present on the occasion included MLA Khadoor Sahib Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM P.S. Aujla, BJP National Secretary Tarun Chugh, MP Shwet Malik, DC Varun Roojam, IG A.K. Pandey, Commissioner of Police Amar Singh Chahal, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Sonali Giri and senior judicial officers.