Punjab Revenue, Public Relations & Non Conventional Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today underlined the need for more concerted efforts to realize the dreams of overall development our great martyrs and freedom fighters who made selfless sacrifices to get our motherland free from British regime.Addressing an impressive gathering after unfurling the National Flag on the occasion of 68th Independence Day function, Mr. Majithia said that it was also an occasion to pay tributes to all those brave Punjabis, who made countless sacrifices in nation’s freedom struggle. He said that it was a matter of proud that despite just two percent population, the brave Punjabis made more than 80 percent sacrifices in the nation’s freedom struggle. He said that we should also remember with gratitude, the selfless service rendered by the personnel of our Army, Para-military forces and state police forces who guard our frontiers to keep intact the hard earned freedom of the country besides maintaining law & order at every cost.
Majithia pointed out that the SAD-BJP government laid the foundation of a progressive Punjab by launching a sustained campaign to strengthen infrastructure, to improve interaction of public with government by launching Governance Reforms and making Punjab first power surplus state of the country and it has fulfilled its promise by making it power surplus in the year 2014. He said that with unique governance reforms, Punjab has emerged as most favorite destination for investment in the country. Our government had organized Progressive Punjab Investor Summit here at the Indian School of Business, which has attracted investment of about Rs.65,000 crore in textiles and engineering, information technology, agro and food processing, tourism, health, bio-sciences, infrastructure sectors having potential of generation of 3 lac jobs. He said that Rs. 21,500 crore Bathinda refinery has been providing direct/indirect employment to 1 lac people. He said that SAS Nagar International Airport was all set to start international flights by the end of current year.
The Minister further informed that an IT City was being developed in 1700 acres, where 20 top IT companies have been allotted land to set up their premises and Infosys has already started setting up of its campus in 50 acres having potential of 25000 jobs. He said that Punjab was all set to have a 100 acres multi product mega food park at Ladhowal. Besides this, a Rs. 150 crore Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) was being set up at Banur, District SAS Nagar (Mohali) and the state government has provided 8 acres of land free of cost for establishment of this institute, he added. He said that Rs. 50 crore Air Conditioned Fruit & Vegetable Mandi has been set up in SAS Nagar by Punjab Mandi Board.He said that when the SAD-BJP government took over in 2007 , the power generation of state was just 6200 MW and now by the end of current year it would touch 14,428 MW . Besides this, major initiatives have been taken in renewable energy sector as 200 MW Solar Power projects were being set up at the cost of Rs. 2000 crore.
The Minister said that the State Government was committed to provide 100% civic amenities in the urban areas of Punjab and was currently executing works like Water Supply, Sewerage, Sewerage Treatment Plants, Street lights, Solid Waste Management, Roads & Flyovers, Parks and parking spaces, to the extent of Rs.3,800 Crore and we have targeted to provide 100% requirement of these basic amenities to the extent of Rs.7, 500 Crores in next three years. Besides this, the rural areas would also be provided civic amenities on urban pattern.
The Minister informed that Our government was developing a New Chandigarh on an area of approximately 15,000 acres on the concept of smart city in the foot hills of Shiwaliks it would have a unique and world class medical and educational infrastructure. Rs. 700 crore Medicity was being developed at 250 acre land and will comprise of world class multi-specialty hospitals along with medical colleges and medical research institutes. 50 acres of land has already been allotted to Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre under the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India. Besides this, a Rs. 4000 crore education city was being planned on an area of approximately 1600 acre and it would have educational facilities of international standards from basic schooling to research level including branch campuses of leading international universities. He further said that setting up of 114 Suwidha Kendras (36 services), 163 Computerized Fard Kendras (providing fards in just 15 minutes) and 146 Saanjh Kendras delivering 25 services has changed the public perception about the functioning of various key departments extending valuable services in the state.Earlier, Mr. Majithia after inspecting the parade took salute from an impressive march past comprising of contingents of Punjab Police, Traffic Police, lady police, NCC and Scouts and guides. On this occasion, a colorful variety programme was also presented by students of various schools and colleges.
The Minister disbursed tri-cycles to 8 physically challenged persons and 15 sewing machines to needy women. He also honoured Mr. Vijay Sethi @ Sonu Zirakpur, Mr. Shamsher Singh & Mrs. Rajinder Kaur ( Prabh Asra Kendra, Padiala), Mohali Industries Association President Mr.Gurkirpal Singh and Gram Panchayat of Raipur Dau. He also gave Rs. 2 lac for participating students besides announcing tomorrow’s holiday in schools. Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included , Ex Minister S. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Chairperson District Planing Committee Bibi Amanjot Kaur Ramoowalia, Chairperson Zila Prishad Bibi Parmjeet Kaur Badali,D.I.G Sh. R.K. Jaiswal, Deputy Commissioner Sh. Tejinderpal Singh Sidhu, Mr. Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti SSP .Mr. Harsukhinder Singh Bubbi Badal.