Punjab cabinet minister for rural development & panchayats, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy Development and NRI Affairs Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab government would soon prepare a database of the NRIs so that the Punjab government could get in touch with them to seek their support for projects in their native villages.The Cabinet Minister today visited village Gujjarwal to kick start the upgradation work of government dispensary in the same village.He was also accompanied by MLAs Hakam Singh Thekedar, Jeevan Singh Sangowal, Manwinder Singh Giaspura, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Labh Singh Ugoke, senior AAP leader Dr KNS Kang, ADC (Rural Development) Amit Kumar Panchal, SP (H) Pirthipal Singh, SDM Jagdeep Sehgal, besides several others.
On this occasion, he announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for upgradation of this government dispensary and also directed the BDPO to prepare an estimate for cleaning of village pond.Philanthropists and NRIs from village Gujjarwal have joined together for up-gradation and renovation of the dilapidated building of government dispensary, that was set up in the village in year 1926. Canada-based Kuldeep Singh Grewal, an NRI from the village has come forward to fund works worth Rs 10 lakh.Village residents urged the cabinet minister to upgrade this government dispensary to atleast 25-bedded government hospital.He said they would be asked to adopt village schools, hospitals and dispensaries.
He said that the Punjab government would ask them to contribute whatever amount they can for development of our state.The minister said the state government would establish four special courts in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda for the cases pertaining to the NRIs. He said that soon, all districts of district Ludniana would have a PCS rank nodal officer for the redressal of complaints of NRIs.Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also extended an invitation to the Punjabi diaspora settled abroad to come forward to restore Punjab to its old glory.Dhaliwal said the NRIs should take the lead for the betterment of their motherland, for which the Punjab government would extend support to realise their dreams.