Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today reviewed the paddy procurement arrangements in Hoshiarpur district and also directed the district administration to ensure that the benefits of the government's social welfare schemes reach the right beneficiaries.The Chief Minister asked the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur to ensure proper implementation of pro-poor initiatives of the government, including Atta-Dal scheme, shagun, MNREGA, besides timely payment of social security pensions to the beneficiaries in the district.Presiding over a meeting here on Friday to review the progress of these welfare schemes, the Chief Minister directed the district administration to take stringent steps to weed out the bogus beneficiaries who were getting pensions, while ensuring that no genuine or deserving beneficiary is harassed in the garb of re-verification. He reiterated that the basic objective of the entire exercise was to ensure inclusive development, with the fruits of development percolating down to the grass roots level.On the issue of procurement of Paddy in the ensuing season, the Chief Minister categorically said that no laxity would be tolerated in this gigantic operation and the Deputy Commissioner should regularly review the progress of procurement and ensure timely payment to the farmers so that the entire operation is conducted seamlessly.
Captain Amarinder Singh reiterated his government's commitment that every single grain of paddy would be procured at all costs.The Chief Minister also monitored the progress of de-addiction and rehabilitation of drug addicts, who had been brought back in the mainstream after detoxification. He further said that these addicts should be handled with utmost care and affection so that they could lead a normal life with dignity and honour. The Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Commissioner to launch a vigorous campaign to issue job cards to the eligible beneficiaries under MNREGA so as to enable them to earn their livelihood. Captain Amarinder Singh lauded the immense contribution of Mandeep Singh, the Sarpanch of Chhatarpur village in Mukerian, for effective implementation of MNREGA in his village.Concluding the discussions, the Chief Minister asked the officers to liaison closely with the senior officers at the district headquarters for the successful implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes for the development of the district.Prominent amongst those present in the meeting were Deputy Commissioner Vipul Ujwal, Inspector General of Police Arpit Shukla and SSP J. Elanchezhian. MLA Tanda Sangat Singh Gilzian and MLA Mukerian Rajnish Kumar Babbi were also present.