Counteracting the false, malicious and baseless assertions of the political opponents with regard to the financial situation of the Punjab state, Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue and Public Relations Minister said that people have witnessed the unprecedented development and growth of the state for the past nine years. Because of developmental and pro-people policies, the SAD-BJP combine is heading towards a “hat-trick” and would form the next government.Addressing a massive gathering at Majitha while disbursing hundreds of power connections for Tube-wells to the farmers of Kathunangal and Majitha circles, Majithia said that the pro-people governments are not formed to earn profit rather such governments ensure all round development and welfare of the states by executing especially envisaged programmes and policies for people. Majithia said that there was no dearth of funds for executing developmental and welfare schemes in Punjab under able leadership of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal.Interacting with the media, he said that over all development in the rural as well as urban areas together with number of welfare schemes envisaged for the people of the state was the evidence that the present government has spent manifold on the pro-people schemes as compared to the previous Congress led governments. He said that promises and commitments made with the people have been largely fulfilled. Punjab was now power surplus, excellent road network, transformation of villages with full connectivity. Besides this the government, true to its commitment, has ensured to boost up each and every section of the society, students, farmers, aged, women, traders all have been covered under various schemes launched exclusively for these sections.
Mr. Majithia also said that the Government was also committed to provide new connections to the farmers but unfortunately because of the case sub-judice in Green Tribunal, it could not be materialized. He also informed that once the decision of the Tribunal comes, the government would instantaneously release the new tube-well connections. He made an appeal to people to timely complete the formalities of the Power Department and get their connections operational. Adding further, Mr. Majithia said that the state government was paying the motor electricity bills of the farmers from out of the state exchequer since 2007 and an expenditure of more than Rs. 33,000 crore has been incurred on this.Referring to a comprehensive insurance scheme under the name of "Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana", the Minister said that this scheme was introduced for providing health insurance cover of Rs. 50000/- per annum per family plus Rs. 5 lacs cover for accidental death and complete disability for HoF of the 28.90 lakh blue card holders families, 11 lac marginal J Form holder farming families, 2.33 lakh small traders and 2.32 lakh construction workers. State has earmarked Rs. 116 crore for this purpose. Additional financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh as against damages due to fire in the business premises would also be given by the government. He also said that the government has already announced financial assistance of Rs. 5 Lakh for the child education and interest free 1 Lakh as crop loan to the farmers.
In a major pro-people move, Mr. Majithia said that the Punjab government has waived off total registration fee charged for transfer of property between spouses and blood relations in urban and rural areas with immediate effect, giving a big relief to thousands of such beneficiaries. People have taken advantage of about Rs. 200 crore within first three months of the announcements. He urged the people to take maximum advance of this scheme so that any litigation within the families could be avoided.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Talbir Singh Gill, Major Shivi, Chief Engineer Border Zone Mr. Jagjit Singh Suchhu, Pradeep Saini, Maninder pal Singh, Babbi Bhangwan, Media Advisor Prof. Sarchand Singh, Gagandeep Singh Bhakna, Advocate Rajesh Prashar,MD Cooperative Bank, Sukhvinder Singh Gill, Kulwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Capt. Randhawa, Baba Charan Singh, Adwin Pal, Gaurav Babba, Resham Singh Bhullar, Tarun Abrol, Mukesh Nanda and Gurjinder Tapayian.