Bikram Singh Majithia Revenue and Public Relations Minister Punjab while extending wholesome appreciation for Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla Former Minister Punjab for passionately raising the cause of women in and out of Vidhan Sabha, vociferously advocating anti- dowry campaign, her fight against female feticide, alcohol, drugs, and other social issues, said that he sincerely appreciates all the initiatives of Prof. Chawla and is with her in her “Pious Cause”.Majithia was addressing a function organized by Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla and her NGOs for skill development of women. He gave certificates to nearly 250 females who had acquired tailoring and embroidery skills under the aegis of these NGOs, prof chawla extended her thanks to mr. Majithia sending 4 lakh gran for NGOs.
Speaking on the occasion he said that Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla’s tenure as Health Minister coupled with Nani Chhan campaign of Union Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal brought a sea change in the attitude of the people towards girl child, so much so that the girl-boy ratio in Punjab improved drastically. He said that such issues can not be tackled with law alone; they are quicker to resolve by generating awareness. So, he respects and supports all initiatives aimed at saving the girl child and hopes that public support will end the evil of female feticide.
Further appreciating the initiatives of Prof. Chawla via her NGOs Shakti, Mata Kaushalya Kalyan Smiti, Madan Lal Dhingra Foundation and Rani Jhansi Society, Majithia said that her activities these days are restricted to smaller neighborhood but the cause of women welfare and women empowerment can better be done a justice with if she joins active politics. The cause needs momentum so in the larger interest of public she should come back in political arena. Calling her the lady with “Simple Living And High Thinking” and also “The Iron Lady of Punjab” Mr. Majithia said that there is no retirement age of politician; he/she should serve as long as people desire so, meaning thereby that Prof. Chawla should come out of the self imposed refrain and be at the helm of political activities.
Earlier Prof. Chawla out lined the activities of various NGOs and informed that Mata Kaushyala Kalyan Smiti works for the education of girl child , Rani Jhansi Society works against social evils, Shakti wroks against female feticide and Madan Lal Dhingra Society spreads awareness and sensitivity towards the sacrifices of Martyrs for our mother land. She also honoured Mr. Majithia on behalf of NGOs.Replying to the media query regarding wheat procurement after the function, Mr. Majithia said that the farmers of Punjab have always contributed maximum to national pool, this is the hour of crisis for them and they need support. He said that Government of India should pay due regard to their contributions and support them in their hour of need. He said that GOI should relax procurement norms in view of unseasonal rains/hail storms and procure the produce. Unfortunately, no step in this direction has been taken which is making the Punjabi farmers feel alienated. He added that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has already announced that Govt. of Punjab will procure all the produce and will unflinchingly to so. Complete lifting and payments will undoubtedly be done, he re-assured.
Talking on quake tragedy in Nepal, Mr. Majithia said that the tragedy occurred in a neighboring country but GOI responded and reacted as if it was in our own country. He appreciated Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s sensitivity on the issue and informed that Govt. of Punjab along with Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and Delhi Gurudwara Management Committee will support the relief measures.