Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has said that the state government is according special priority to the development of border districts and SAD-BJP regime is fully committed to provide all basic amenities to the residents of these districts.Addressing a large gathering here today at rigi resort on the commencement of Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna for farmers during a state level function, S. Badal reiterated commitment of state government towards betterment of all sections of society and said that the government is running welfare schemes so as to be able to cater to the interests of needy sections of society besides keeping the pace of development intact. He said that this health scheme would benefit 11 lakh farming families of the state who would be able to avail cashless treatment upto Rs. 50000 annually through a smart card. In case of accidental death of head of the family, insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh would also be provided.He disclosed that under the scheme, the premium would be paid by the mandi board. Further elaborating, he said that till date 7 Lakh farmers have been registered by 153 market committees under the said scheme. Apart from this, blue card holder families, small traders and construction workers are being given benefits under Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna.
Dwelling upon the other welfare schemes being run by the Punjab Government, Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has initiated Atta-Dal scheme, Shagan scheme, Pension Scheme, Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme. Similarly, state government is providing power subsidy worth Rs. 5600 crore annually to the farmers of the state and until now free power to the tune of 32000 crore has been provided. The government has decided in the current year’s budget that small farmers would be provided interest free loan up to Rs. 50000 besides giving tube well connections on priority to farmers having less than 2.5 acres. The state government is giving more than 1.65 lakh tube well connections this year in the state apart from beginning pension scheme for farmers which would ensure them monetary gains in old age.
Divulging more, he said that state government is also according utmost importance to the development of the state along with welfare schemes. In consequence of which, Rs. 10000 crore would be spent on development of infrastructural facilities in the rural and urban areas of state. Every Assembly constituency would be given a grant of Rs. 25-30 crore.The Deputy Chief Minister further said that state government is soon going to advertise 1.20 lakh jobs whereas skill development centers are in the process of being established to make youth totally skilled. Under this plan, this year 1 lakh youth would be given skill training an dthis number would swell to 2 lakh next year. He disclosed that preference would be given to establish skill centers in border districts that would erase the label of being backward from their face resulting in speeding up of the pace of development. He said that development had taken place in state during SAD-BJP rule only as is clear from previous 9 years track record.
On the occasion, S. Vardev Singh Mann also spoke and welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister on reaching Guruharsahai. He also guided people about welfare schemes of the state government. The former President of Punjab BJP Mr. Kamal Sharma also addressed the gathering and praised the steps being taken by the state government for welfare of farmers.During this occasion, MLA S. Hari Singh Zira, Advocate Gursewak Singh Mann, S. Sant Singh Brar, Mr. Rohit Vohra President Municipal Council, Chairman Market Committee S. Harrajinder Singh Guru, S. Sukhwant Singh Thehgujjar, Mr. Baldev Raj Kamboj Chairman Zila Parishad, Bhupinder Singh Sandhu, Darshan Singh Mothanwala, Darshan Singh Bedi Chairman P.A.D.B., Iqbal Singh Chairman Block Samiti, Satinder Singh Savi kathpal, Deputy Commissioner Engineer D.P.S. Kharbanda and S.S.P. Manminder Singh were also present.