"The father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi taught the values of non violence to the entire nation and played significant role in the freedom movement of the country holding on to such values." These views were expressed here today by the Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Punjab, Aruna Chaudhary on the occasion of the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi during a district level function.Greeting people on the occasion, the minister said that whereas the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led state government is commencing Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna from today, it is also implementing 3 important schemes in the state namely-Ghar Ghar Rozgaar, Farm Debt Waiver and Mission Tandarust Punjab. Mrs. Chaudhary also said that giving purpose to the lives of youth and providing jobs is the main obligation of every government and the Punjab Government has provided employment to 1.75 lakh youth directly or indirectly through job fairs in which 1,400 companies participated.Divulging more, the minister said that the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh immidiately after taking over waived off the crop loans and fulfilled his promise to the farmers. During the first phase the loans worth Rs. 2 lakhs of the marginal farmers having land upto 2.5 acres were waived off and in the next phase the loans availed by the medium level farmers, having 2.5-5 acres of land, from the cooperative banks would be waived. This phase would be completed by January next year and the scheme would benefit 10 lakh farmers.
Disclosing further, the minister said that under the Mission Tandarust Punjab which is a dream project of the Chief Minister, the government is making specialised efforts to provide clean environment as well as the quality food products to the people of Punjab. The main feature of the project is to eradicate adulteration. The minister appealed to the people to avoid burning stubble and contribute towards creating a healthy society for the sake of their families.The minister also underlined the role played by Moga district in the freedom struggle and said that Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai belonged to the village dhudike from the district.Mrs. Chaudhary in a district level camp distributed sanction letters to the 2,847 beneficiaries of the various welfare schemes of the state government namely Shagan Scheme, Ujjwala Yojna, Water Supply & Toilet Scheme, MGNREGA, Free power units, Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Guarantee Yojna, Mudra loan, Pension scheme and Bus pass. The forms of the new beneficiaries were also filled on the spot. On the occasion, a peace march was also taken out from Bhupindra Khalsa Senior Secondary school by the students in the district. The peace marches were also taken out at sub division level at Baghapurana, Dharamkot and Nihal Singh wala. The people were made aware with regard to different schemes of the government and forms filled to grant benefits in sub division camp also.
Interacting with the mediapersons afterwards, Mrs. Chaudhary said that the state government is fully committed to provide better transport facilities to the people and sooner 100 buses would be added to the fleet. The minister also said that the purpose of the Mahatnma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna, commenced under the visionary guidance of the Chief Minister, is to ensure that those people derive benefits of the government schemes who can't do so inspite bing eligible. The minister also divulged that the Chief MInister has directed the DCs of all the districts to provide benefits of these schemes to the needy and eligible people within 30 days.The MLA Moga Dr. Harjot Kamal also gave his greetings to the people on this occasion and appealed to the people to take maximum benefit of the state government schemes. The President of the District Congress Committee Vinod Bansal welcomed Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary. The DC Moga Mr. DPS Kharbanda also addressed the people on the occasion. Among others present included MLA Baghapurana Mr. Darshan Singh Brar, MLA Dharamkot Mr. Sukhjit Singh Lohgarh, ex-minister Dr. Maalti Thapar, SSP Mr. Gurpreet Singh Toor, ADC (D) Mr. Rajinder Batra, Assistant Commissioner Lal Vishwas Bains and SDM Moga Mr. Gurwinder Singh Johal.