Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today categorically said that that the state government was seriously contemplating to secure the release of those Sikh youths, who have already completed their jail sentence and were still lodged in various jails across the country.
Addressing the gathering in village Bheetewal, Kandukhera, Bhullarwala, Haakuwala, Fattakera, Warring Khera and Killianwali on second day of Sangat Darshan program in Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said the state government was taking up the matter with the respective state governments so as to ensure that the Sikh prisoners were released at the earliest. The Chief Minister further said that the main aim of Sangat Darshan, which was the flagship program of the state government, was on the spot redressal of the grievances of people. He said that while the Congress leaders and their Union government have always resorted to mere political gimmickry, the SAD-BJP government was serving the people in true sense by bringing the government at their doorsteps through such endeavors. Mr. Badal reiterated that no force in this world could deter him from pursuing this pro-people initiative. The Chief Minister said that the democracy could be strengthen only by involving the people in decision making process for which the Sangat Darshan programs were playing a pivotal role. He said that the Sangat Darshan program was really a step towards empowering the people in real sense.
The Chief Minister also directed the officers to ensure that the development works in the villages were executed in a time bound manner so as to give relief to the people. He also said that water logging has caused a lot of destruction to the houses in the area due to which special focus was being laid on them.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has initiated a number of pro-poor schemes to ensure the welfare of the weaker and disadvantaged sections of the society. He said that the state government has decided to double the beneficiaries of Atta-Dal scheme from existing 16 lakh to 32 lakh and even the rate of Atta would be slashed to Re 1 to Rs 4 per kilogram. Exhorting the farmers to adopt the technique of using the farm equipments on custom hiring basis, the Chief Minister said that this would help them in curtailing the heavy cost expenditure meted out on farming. He also said that the state government was already giving 30% subsidy to the cooperative societies for purchasing such equipments.Welcoming the various PPP and Congress leaders into the Akali fold, the Chief Minister said that they would be given due respect in the party.The Chief Minister was accompanied by SGPC Member Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali and his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema.