Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister today said that Punjab Government would soon bring a proposal to carve out burial grounds on Panchayati lands in villages, where Muslims have dense population and this proposal would be finalized within a short span of time with a view to eliminate hurdles of Muslim Community while performing last rites for departed souls.
Congratulating Muslim Community on the pious occasion of ID-UL-Fitar while participating in the ceremony in Idgah at Bathinda, Mr. Badal said that the survey to identify villages having Muslim population besides identification of Panchayati lands in their respective villages was on advanced stage of completion and after its completion, the Government would bring the policy, which would be approved within no time. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government has enough Panchayati lands in Muslim populated villages and the process of carving out burial ground would also be immediately started after completion of remaining formalities.
pulging details of welfare scheme launched by SAD-BJP Government for the betterment of Minorities in the state, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was providing in-toto free educations the minority students under ambitious Ashirwad Scheme up to level of Universities. He said that Minority students can apply online to take benefits of this scheme and contact the concerned district offices for any assistance, if needed. He said that till July this year more than 48000 students had applied under this scheme and it was expected that the number of students will be crossed to 1.5 lakh in current session. He said that Punjab Government is also coming with an ambitious program of health insurance for all poor families in the state, under which cashless treatment of Rs. 30000 would be provided to needy families. He said that for this purpose special insurance cards would be distributed among such families and this process would also be completed within next two-three months.
Fulfilling the long pending demands of Muslim Community, Mr. Badal announced that Punjab Government would construct houses for poor Muslim families at Bathinda. He said that the houses would be made on 18 acres of land besides construction of a state-of-the-art school for the children of Muslim families. He also announced a grant of Rs. 10 lakh for cleaning of Idgah Ground and Rs. 2 lakh for construction of Main Gate of Idgah. Mr. Badal on the spot directed district administration to prepare estimates for other remaining works of Idgah and sent directly to them for early execution of estimated works.Felicitating the people of country especially Muslim Community on the eve of holy festival, Mr. Badal said that Eid-Ul-Fitr brings joy and glory to the people on the culmination of the month of holy Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Mr. Badal also released a book ‘Malwa Aaeene Islam’ published by Muslim Human Welfare Society. The members of society also honoured Mr. Badal and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sarup Chand Singla.