In a big reprieve to the farmers residing within 10 kilometres radius of the Indo-Pak border, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to depute special officers for ensuring prompt and hassle free procurement and lifting of paddy from this region. Addressing the gathering during visit of border villages of Tarn Taran district here today, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, said that the state government was well aware of the hardships faced by farmers of border region in cultivating and reaping their crop. He said that keeping in view the escalating tension at the border the state government was duty-bound to lift each and every single grain of the farmers. Mr. Badal said that he had already directed the Food and Civil Supply department to depute special officers for ensuring quick procurement and lifting of grains from this region. Congratulating Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Indian Army for conducting successful operation to destroy terror pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Chief Minister reiterated that Modi led NDA government gave a befitting reply to Pakistan for its sinister moves of supporting terror groups against India. He said that the unprecedented, courageous, heroic and decisive act of Mr. Modi hardly finds any parallel across the globe. Mr. Badal said that Pakistan had been testing the patience of India by sponsoring attack in Mumbai, Parliament house and others but now it had crossed all the limits by sponsoring attack in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
So, Mr Badal said that India led by Mr. Modi gave a befitting answer to Pakistan by destroying terror pads in PoK, which was highly laudable. Striking an emotional chord with the residents of border region, the Chief Minister said that the entire country was thankful to them for braving all odds while living in this part of the state. Likewise, he said that brave people of the region have to confront number of problems during their day to day life. Mr. Badal said due to frequent threat of war this region lagged behind in development but then also the brave residents of this region had contributed immensely in socio-economic progress of the country. The Chief Minister said that not only the state but the entire country was indebted to these people for their exemplary courage and patriotism. He said that the state government was duty-bound to extend a helping hand to these people, who have left their homes after escalation of tension between India and Pakistan. Mr. Badal said that he along with top brass of the state government was regularly monitoring the arrangements in relief camps to facilitate the people.
The Chief Minister said that it was his duty to visit the people in border areas of the state in this hour of crisis to share the agony faced by them. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the people, Mr. Badal assured them that the state government would take every step to safeguard their interests at every cost. He also said that the decision to evacuate the people within 10 kilometre radius of border have been taken by the state government after an advisory from Government of India. Mr. Badal said that this decision was taken with a sole motive of preventing any loss of life to the people.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, MLAs Mr. Harmeet Singh Sandhu and Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha, his Special Principal Secretary Dr S Karunaraju, Deputy Commissioner Mr. BS Dhaliwal and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Manmohan Sharma.