Recalling the great service rendered by border residents of the state to the country, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Government of India (GoI) to start a special recruitment drive for enabling the youth of border areas to join Indian Army and para military forces. Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of his visit in border areas of Amritsar district here today, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Revenue, Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, said that the youth of this region was blessed by indomitable spirit of courage and self sacrifice, so efforts must be made to channelize this energy for country. He said that the brave patriots of border region have always fought against all odds to safeguard the unity and integrity of the country adding that it was the high time that the country recognizes their immense contribution.
Mr. Badal said that he would soon raise this issue with the Union government and seek its early resolution. The Chief Minister also said that the state government would also approach the Ministry of Defence to impress upon them for widening the bridges on Defence drains in the region. He said that it was need of the hour to facilitate the people and avoid any sort of untoward incident. The Chief Minister reiterated that despite ongoing tension at Indo-Pak border the agriculturalists would be allowed to harvest their produce at every cost. He 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.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the state government would soon release the pending compensation of farmers having land across the border fence. He said that the state government has always extended a helping hand to the farmers of border region and every effort would be made to bail them out of current crisis. Mr. Badal said that the state government was duty-bound to help the farmers in this hour of crisis.On another query, the Chief Minister said that people within 10 kilometres radius of border were evacuated following the advisory of Government Of India for preventing any loss of life to people. He said that the state government had made elaborate arrangements for facilitating the people in relief camps.
Earlier addressing the gatherings at Ghonewala, Kot Razaada, Daoke, Bharopal, Chak Alla Bakhsh and other villages, the Chief Minister said that the state government was well aware of the hardships faced by farmers of border region in cultivating their crop.
He said that keeping in view the escalating tension at the border the state government was duty-bound to lift each and every single grain of the farmers. Mr. Badal said that he had already directed the Food and Civil Supply department to make special arrangements for ensuring quick procurement and lifting of grains from this region. The Chief Minister said that not only the state but the entire country was indebted to the brave people of border areas 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 was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Mr Bikram Singh Majithia and Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike, former MP Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, MLA Mr Amarpal Singh Ajnala, Chairman District Planning Committee Amritsar Mr Veer Singh Lopoke, SGPC Jathedar Magwinder Singh Khaparkheri, Jathedar Surjit Singh Bhittewind and Mr Gurinder Singh Lally, Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr AK Mittal, Deputy Commissioner Mr Varun Roozam and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr Harkanwaljeet Singh Khakh.