The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal today flagged off 5 buses from Barnala to Sri Amritsar Sahib marking the second phase of successful Mukh Mantri Tirath Darshan Yatra besides flagging off the 80 buses from various districts of Punjab to various religious places. The Deputy Chief Minister disclosed that 80 buses would be operating every month from throughout the state which would take the devotees free of cost to Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Virasat-E-Khalsa, Sri Salasar Balaji Dham and Mata Chintpurni.He further said that earlier, the devotees were benefitted by the free of cost rail travel to the Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib apart from a large number also visiting Ajmer Sharif and Varanasi. Now, under the second phase, the devotees are being taken to religious places like—Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Virasat-e-Khalsa, Sri Salasar Balaji Dham and Mata Chintpurni. He said that there is excellent feedback regarding this scheme and people are very happy at this initiative of SAD-BJP government.On the occasion, S. Badal also initiated various projects pertaining to the Barnala area at a cost of Rs. 11.88 crore besides distributing development oriented grants to the all 31 wards of Barnala city. The Deputy Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of new link roads & interlocking systems at Kothe Dullat, Kothe Gurusar, Ganja Dhanaula, Kothe Sarawan, Kothe Choongha, Kothe Mehta, Kothe Waraich and Kothe Beeka Sooch. He also initiated a project of sewerage and clean drinking water at Handeaya.
Replying to a query about the disbursal of grants in his interaction with media-persons, S. Badal said that during sangat darshans grants are distributed to all the panchayats and ward residents without any bias depending upon their requirements with sole focus on ensuring the development of Punjab. Giving a clarion call for handing out historic defeat to the congress & Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Deputy Chief Minister said that during the previous 9 years SAD-BJP government has done record development in the state and showcased shagan scheme, pension scheme, atta-dal scheme, free bicycles for school girls, free health insurance scheme, free power to farmers, free power worth 200 units to the SC/BC families, distribution of sewing machines to women, establishing skill centers, gyms & sports kits for youth, sewerage and clean drinking water in 160 cities, dharamshalas in villages, making the state power surplus, and making Punjab top most state in road infrastructure as the shining achievements of SAD-BJP government. He exhorted the people to vote for ensuring hat-trick of SAD-BJP alliance in the coming assembly polls in order to continue the pace of development in the state.Among others present on the occasion included Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board Rajinder Gupta, Vice Chairman PRTC Winnerjit Goldy and Vice Chairman PEDA Kulwant Singh Kitu and other senior leaders.