Punjab Animal husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Thursday said that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has hiked the internship stipend of the students of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) from Rs 6,200 to Rs 15,000.
Meeting the interns who were on protest for their demand for a hike at GADVASU, the Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab government was committed to welfare of the students and lauded their crucial role in providing services at the veterinary clinics.
He said it was really sad that students had to wait for 17-years to get a hike in the stipend. He said that a notification has already been issued in this regard and asked them to make the university proud by scaling new heights in this field.Accompanied by MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, the Minister said that these interns worked 24-hours in the veterinary clinics and it was their right to get a suitable hike in the stipend. He said that he was always available for the students and they could contact him anytime.
He also handed over a copy of notification regarding the increase in allowance, to the students. He added that the government was making strenuous efforts to boost livestock farming among the farmers for making Punjab a leader in this field.MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi also thanked the Cabinet Minister for redressing the issue on priority basis.
Meanwhile, speaking with the media, Laljit Singh Bhullar who also holds the Transport portfolio said that the state government would launch GPS system in its buses from August 1 to track their movement. He said that the Transport Mafia had become a thing of the past in Punjab.
Earlier, Punjab Police officials accorded guard of honour to the Minister on his arrival at local Circuit House.Prominent among present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik, Commissioner of Police Dr Kaustubh Sharma, GADVASU Vice- chancellor Dr Inderjeet Singh and other officers of Civil and Police Administration.