Expressing solidarity with the farmers of border districts of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that despite of ongoing tension at Indo-Pak border the agriculturalists would be allowed to harvest their produce at every cost.Addressing the gathering during his whirlwind visit to relief camps in Pathankot district here today, the Chief Minister said that the crops were as dear to the farmers as their children and they could not bear this loss at any cost. Mr. Badal said that in view of this situation he had taken up this issue with the Union Home Minister Mr Rajnath Singh, who had immediately directed the Border Security Force (BSF) to allow the farmers of border region to harvest the crop. Likewise, he said Government of India has also allowed the farmers having their land across the fence to reap and lift their crop.
Describing the border residents of state as true patriots, the Chief Minister said that these sons of the soil face a lot of hardships every day. He said that braving all the odds these hard working people immensely contribute for the development of the state and country.
Mr. Badal said that these brave people serve their motherland in true sense by confronting the enemy on every passing day.The Chief Minister said that not only the state but the entire country was indebted to these people for their exemplary courage and patriotism. He said that the state government was duty-bound to extend a helping hand to these people, who have left their homes after escalation of tension between India and Pakistan. Mr. Badal said that he along with top brass of the state government was regularly monitoring the arrangements in relief camps to facilitate the people.The Chief Minister said that state government has evacuated the population from border regions following an advisory of Government of India. He said that it was necessitated for avoiding any sort of major loss to life and property of people. Mr. Badal said that the state government fully shares the grief of people in this hour of crisis and no stone would be left unturned to facilitate them. Patting the district and Police administration for setting up thee relief camps, the Chief Minister said that every officer /official must render their service diligently to serve these people in this hour of crisis. He assured the people that the state government would extend fulsome support and cooperation to them for bailing them out of crisis.
“There is no need to panic as state government is committed for service of the brave hearts of border region”, added Mr Badal.Later on interacting with the media persons after visiting the relief camp, the Chief Minister the evacuation of people has been ordered just to ensure safety of people of border region. He said that in such situations enemy could make any move and could not be trusted. Mr. Badal said that as border villages of Punjab were densely populated as compared to other states like Rajasthan so it was necessary to evacuate the people for ensuring their safety. Meanwhile, during his visit in Barth Sahib and Bamiyaal relief camps, the Chief Minister interacted with the people and enquired about the arrangements being made by the state government to facilitate their stay.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Mr. Dinesh Kumar Babbu, MLAs Mr. Ashwani Sharma, Mr. Des Raj Duggha and Mrs. Seema Kumari, former Minister Jathedar Sucha Singh Langah, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr S Karunaraju, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Amit Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Rakesh Kaushal.