The Punjab Revenue & Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today exhorted the people to play more proactive role in the development process to make Punjab No. 1 state of the country besides using their right to vote to strengthen the institution of democracy in the country which has become its unique strength across the globe.Presiding over a district level 65th Republic Day function held here at Nehru Stadium, Mr. Majithia while congratulating the people, pointed out that the strength of our development process was the increasing participation of our populace which through its hard work, grit, determination and perseverance was making a commendable contribution in nation building. He said that we have completed about six and half decades of determined working being guided by the principles and objectives of the Constitution that was framed after watchful discussions and adopted in 1950. Ours the most elaborate written Constitution has withstood the rigorous test of democracy during last 64 years. The strength of our Constitution and our firm confidence in democratic values has emerged our country as the biggest democracy of the world.
Majithia said that our Constitution has given us the power to elect a Government of our choice. The ensuing Lok Sabha elections to be held shortly would give you an opportunity to elect government of your choice that was able to translate your dreams into reality. The time has come to dump the non-performing government into annals of history and elect strong, decisive and visionary government with a thumping majority, he added.He said that Punjabis have made more than 80% sacrifices in the nation’s freedom struggle and even after getting independence, Punjabis has always led the nation in safeguarding our borders besides making the country self reliant on food grains front. He said that after getting the historic repeat mandate from the intelligent electorate of the state, the SAD-BJP government in Punjab Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and visionary guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, has been moving with the idea of rapid and sustainable development to take the state in to the next orbit of overall development. He informed that after creating world class infrastructure, the state was all set for attracting big investment thereby creating job opportunities on large scale. Besides this, the provision of quality and time bound services was another priority of our government, he added.
Listing the various development initiatives of the SAD-BJP government, Mr. Majithia said that our government has implemented a unique ‘Right to Service Act’, by notifying 149 citizen centric services to curb the red-tapism and harassment in government offices by making bureaucracy accountable for time bound services. Setting up of 114 Suwidha Kendras (36 services), 162 Computerized Fard Kendras (providing fards in just 10 minutes), 146 Saanjh Kendras delivering 25 services changed the public perception towards functioning of government departments. He said that taking a unique step, our government has disbursed Rs. 6 crore to farmers of six districts namely Ferozepur, Fazilka, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot as Rs. 3000 per acre compensation for their land situated between the border fence and International border.
He revealed that the grand success of 1st Progressive Punjab Investors Conference has set the agenda for Punjab’s emergence as the most preferred state for new industries and businesses as the top captains of Indian industry like Mittal-Arcelor Chairman Mr. LN Mittal and Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman Reliance Group have committed setting up of projects worth Rs. 65000 crore. He said that Punjab Deputy Chief Minister has constituted an Investment Promotion Bureau to facilitate investors in getting all required approvals in one office that too in a minimum time frame and our target was to attract investment of Rs.1 lac crore in next two years. He said that Punjab was all set to develop a Textile Hub in Malwa, Food Hub in Majha, IT Hubs in Mohali and Amritsar, Petro Park in Bathinda, Automobiles hub in Patiala, Sugar hubs in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, Hosiery hub in Ludhiana, Hand-tool, Sports and Leather hubs in Jalandhar for focused and accelerated industrial growth.
He said that the SAD-BJP government has launched an ambitious infrastructure program of 100 projects involving an investment of Rs. 16740 crore which includes 10 BOT roads, 6 Bus terminals, 39 Inter-state check posts, 2 sports complexes, 1 five star Hotel-cum- Convention centre and International Convention centre at SAS Nagar.All major cities/towns are being linked with 4/6 lane roads in coming three years through projects of Rs. 13000 crores. Construction of 6 Judicial Court Complexes, 5 District Administrative complex, 5 tehsil complexes, 2 University/ government colleges, one polytechnic, 17 community health centres, 1 Anaj Bhawan and 49 tehsil/block level veterinary hospital at a joint cost of Rs. 830 crore was on full swing, he added.
Mr. Majithia said with inauguration of first units of 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant and 1400 MW Rajpura Thermal Plant, the Punjab has led the nation by becoming first power surplus state of the country and Our government has chalked out an ambitious program for adding 13380 MW generation capacity by the year 2020.
He said that unjab has so far harnessed total 569 MW in the Renewable Energy Sector in the state out of which 134 MW in Small / Mini Hydel, 62.5MW in Biomass Power (IPP), 362 MW in Co-generation and 10.5MW in Solar Photovoltaic Power sectors. Under the NRSE Policy-2012, target for Solar Power is 1000 MW by 2022. To harness 300 MW power through Biomass power plants in next three years, PEDA has identified 29 sites/tehsils for which bidding process would be initiated soon. Besides this, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has recently handed over approval letters for 250 MW Solar power projects having joint investment of Rs. 2500-3000 crore and potential of more than 2000 jobs.He said that our government has recently organized Non-Resident Punjabi Sammelan at Sri Anandpur Sahib and Jalandhar, which was attended by number of elected representatives from Punjab origin across the globe, NRP media and large number of NRPs. Our government has taken historic decisions to facilitate the NRPs with special emphasis on connecting their younger generations with their motherland. The Punjab government has launched a fully interactive website for NRPs to facilitate them to register direct and online complaints regarding property disputes, police cases besides getting any information they required. Our government has already set up 11 NRIs Police Stations having jurisdiction over whole state and four more were being notified soon, he added.
He said that our government was fully committed for sustainable urban development as the master plans of 32 towns have already been notified and 40 more to be notified soon. Punjab has decided to develop Mullanpur as New Chandigarh, a world class city in the foothills of Shivalik. He said that Urban Mission of Rs. 8888 crore for all 147 cities and towns for their planned development/24X7 power, 100% drinking water and sewerage coverage, solid waste management and smooth traffic flow is being implemented in next four years.He said that the SAD-BJP government was committed to provide quality education and empower girl students. It has recently provided free bicycles to 1,52,330 girl students of class 11th and 12th studying in government schools by spenting Rs. 41.90 crore under Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme in year 2011 also it had spent Rs. 30 crore on providing cycles to 1,11,049 girl students . He said that our government has finalized an ambitious plan to extend the present number of 15.40 lakh beneficiaries families to 30 lac families to ensure two square meal to these families by the mid of February. He said that under Bhai Ghanaiya Health Insurance Scheme , 25127 beneficiaries have availed free of cost treatment of worth Rs. 15.02 crore during current year. Our government has been extending free medical treatment up to Rs.30,000 to Blue Card Holders (Atta-Dal scheme beneficiaries) by making provision of Rs.20 crore. Besides this, our government has been providing 14,37,814 beneficiaries each a Rs.250 old age pension per month and widow pension to 2,92,663 beneficiaries during year 2013-14.
Earlier, Mr. Majithia accompanied by Mr. Pardeep Kumar Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. Ravcharn Singh Brar, SSP inspected the parade and took salute from an impressive march past led by DSP Sameer Verma. On this occasion, a total 2450 students of various schools/colleges presented a colourful variety program and 16 tableaus of different departments depicting the ongoing development activities also became the centre of attraction. Mr. Majithia also honoured the freedom fighters and their families and presented 10 sewing machines to needy women. He also announced Rs. 3 lac grant for participant children.Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, MLA, Mrs. Satwant Kaur Sandhu, former Minister and Mr. RK Jaiswal, DIG, Rupnagar Range were also present on the occasion.