Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that 200 skill development centers would be opened soon across the state to make the youth as employment generators not the job seekers.Elaborating the plans of Punjab government to ensure all round development of the state, he said that the government would open 2 skill development centers in every block of border districts, where the youth would be imparted free training in various streams to increase their avenues for self-employment. He added that whereby they would contribute to the state’s development as also their own family by being self employed with increase in resources.Addressing a large gathering here at Shaheed Lieutenant Navdeep Singh (Ashoka Chakra) Sports stadium on the eve of inauguration of automated driving test track center constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.20 crore prepared by state transport department, the Deputy Chief Minister said the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal has vision and farsightedness to empower the youth of the state for which these skill development centers being opened in the state. He also informed that every center would see the 1000 youth passing out taking the total number of annual pass outs to more than 1.50 lakh fully skilled and trained youth. He further informed that the state government would provide jobs to 1,20,000 youth of the state through a transparent process.
S. Sukhbir Singh Badal while unveiling new page in the success story to take brand Punjab to further heights of developmental glory said these centers would serve the purpose of conducting driving tests with the aid of modern gadgetry and issuing the driving licenses at a single place itself. He said that the benefit of this novel step would be seen in the end to the trend of people making daily rounds of various offices thereby falling prey to corrupt persons. He expressed happiness that Punjab is the first state in the country to have this facility at 22 district headquarters and 10 sub divisions with medical facilities at each center. He said that state government has incurred the cost of Rs. 44.33 crore on these centers.
Calling 'Kohinoor' diamond an inseparable part of cultural heritage of the State, SAD president said that every effort would be made to bring this precious diamond back to Punjab and the matter would be pursued with central government. He also informed that SGPC has been asked to file a petition in the Supreme Court in this regard.
Touching the other aspects of developmental nature, Deputy Chief Minister said the state government has formulated a policy to give interest free cash crop loans of Rs. 50,000 to the farmers. "Farmers' tubewell bills have also been waived off for which the state government pays Rs. 6,000 crore from its own coffers to the Powercom. Divulging more, he said the state government has been providing free insurance and medical health scheme under Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna to 44.23 lakh beneficiaries that includes all traders, farmers and BPL families.Mr Badal said the SAD-BJP government has implemented various pro-people welfare schemes like old age, widow pension, Atta-Dal scheme besides scholarships to poor students and bicycles for girls. In another measure benefitting old people, it has been decided to disburse old age pension through village level committees so that they are spared the rounds of offices in their golden age.
Throwing light on progress oriented projects of infrastructural nature, S. Badal said that the state government is spending Rs. 22,000 crore on the 4 and 6 laning of roads besides Rs. 10,000 crore on providing all kinds of amenities to rural areas (Rs. 6000 crore) and also urban (Rs. 4000 crore) ones. He also announced that the state government is providing facility of sewerage treatment plants in every town besides focusing on concretization of all streets in the villages during next 5 years.
Launching a fierce attack on Congress, Deputy CM said the Congress created unnecessary noise on the issue of cash credit limit (CCL) for purchase of foodgrains and misguided the public on this issue but it has been given a befitting reply with the announcing of CCL to Punjab which has amply proved that congress wanted to delay the loans just to malign SAD-BJP Government and score political brownie points.
Castigating Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), S. Badal said that this party’s so called formula of governance, if any, has miserably failed in Delhi and now it has set its eyes on Punjab with next year’s assembly elections in mind. Divulging more, he said that AAP Convener and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal totally ditched the farmers of Punjab on SYL issue by supporting Haryana’s stand. Taking on AAP with iron hands, S. Badal said that AAP clearly exhibited it’s anti-Sikh attitude with its MLA Alka Lamba instrumental in the demolition of 'Piau sahib' at Gurudwara Sri Sisganj Sahib New Delhi and this event has caused untold hurt to the sentiments of all right thinking people the world over.
Calling SAD, a party of commoners, President Mr Badal said it is the second oldest party in the country with a history of service to the nation both during and after independence. Exhorting people to distinguish between real benefactors and fair weather elements, he said that he is supremely confident that the mature people of Punjab would vote for progress and prosperity in the next year’s assembly elections.On the occasion, CPS Gurbachan Singh Babbehali and former minister Sucha Singh Langah thanked the Deputy CM for opening of the center and said the SAD-BJP government has done a lot during previous 9 years by executing major progress oriented projects. They also said that major developmental works are underway in Gurdaspur and no stone would be left unturned in carrying out all round progress. Among those present on the occasion were cabinet minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, CPS Des Raj Dhugga, ex-minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, DC Pradeep Aggarwal, SSP Jagdeep Singh Hundal, former MLA Captain Balbir Singh Batth, youth president (Majha) Shiromani Akali Dal Ravikaran Singh Kahlon besides other leaders.