Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today called upon the farmers to save the air, water and land of Punjab by getting rid of the traditional crop cycle and adopting alternative crops which take less time and water.Addressing the gathering on the state level function to mark the 299th birth anniversary of Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia at Dr. Manmohan Singh Auditorium of Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, the Chief Minister said that he was constantly engaged in brainstorming discussions with the agriculture experts to save the ground water for past several days as it is the most crucial issue confronted by all of us besides a worrisome problem too for our future generations.Seeking cooperation from people especially the farmers, Bhagwant Mann said that his government's intentions were crystal clear to save Punjab and several major decisions would be taken soon with the support of farmers to boost crop diversification. He also said that the government would extend all possible help to those who were adopting crop diversification. He also appealed to the farmers to sow paddy only during the monsoon season so that groundwater could be saved enormously.
Expressing deep concern over the fast depleting groundwater, the Chief Minister said it is our collective duty to save this precious natural resource for future generations.Pointing out further, Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab was badly under the rife of corruption and mafia which would soon be eradicated. Chief Minister said that the leaders of previous governments were hand in glove to enjoy government facilities for the past many decades despite losing the elections. He said that such leaders were still not ready to give up government facilities including government accommodations, but due to tough decisions being taken by his government it won’t happen anymore. He also called upon his MLAs and party functionaries to work with utmost sincerity, honesty and dedication and stand by the truth to safeguard the rights of people.The Chief Minister said that the leaders of the previous governments used to take decisions for their own vested interests after coming to power.
But now it is only 50 days since his government came to power, during which many pro-people decisions have been taken. He said that due to lack of will power in the old leaders our youth have been deprived of government jobs, but his government has issued advertisements for more than 26,000 government jobs. At the same time he assured that many more major decisions would be taken in the coming days for the welfare of the state. At the same time he assured the youth of Punjab that his government would create opportunities for their better future in Punjab and no one would have to go abroad for employment.Paying homage to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on his birth anniversary, the Chief Minister said that he had inherited the legacy of Sikhism, bravery and spirit to fight for the down trodden. He further said that the tragedy of today is that we have been persecuted by our own people who have been in power for the last several decades and they have looted their own state. He also said that the people have given them the power which would be used only for the welfare of the people and the people who have looted the state would not be spared.
Prominent personalities belonging to Ramgarhia community Punjabi folk singer Surinder Shinda, social worker and industrialist Amrik Singh Gharial (village Raqba), social worker and owner of Barnala Industries Kulwant Singh Lotey, educationist Principal Chamkaur Singh, eminent scholar and former director of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Dr. Anurag Singh and a young entrepreneur Sandeep Kaur Riyat were honoured on the occasion.Earlier, MLAs Sarvajit Kaur Manunke, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Educationist Dr KNS Kang and Dr. Anurag Singh also presented his views.Prominent among others present on the occasion included MLAs Jeevan Singh Sangowal, Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Hakam Singh Thekedar, Madan Lal Bagga, Daljit Singh Grewal, Ashok Parashar Pappi, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Jagtar Singh Dayalpura, ACS to Chief Minister A. Venu Prasad, Divisional Commissioner Chander Gaind, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik and Commissioner of Police Dr Kaustubh Sharma.