Punjab Local Government and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh hoisted the national flag as the chief guest at the district-level Independence Day celebrations organized at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium in Pathankot district today.
After hoisting the national flag, the cabinet minister inspected the parade and delivered a message to the people of the district. After this, the chief guest took salute from the magnificent march past taken out by the Punjab Police, Women Punjab Police, Home Guard, NCC and various school children. On this occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Pathankot Mr. Hardeep Singh and SSP Mr. Daljinder Singh Dhillon were specially present.
During his address, the chief guest Dr. Ravjot Singh, while addressing all the district residents, congratulated the residents of Pathankot district and the people of India on the 79th Independence Day of the country. He said that Punjabis have made the most number of sacrifices in the country's freedom struggle.
He reiterated the commitment of the Punjab Government to fulfill the dreams of the great martyrs and said that the ex-gratia amount for the heirs of the martyred soldiers has been increased from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore and Agniveers have also been included under this financial assistance scheme.
He said that in order to make Punjab the leading state of the country in sports again, Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 8 lakh per player are being given for preparation.The Cabinet Minister said that we should work together for the progress of the country and always remember the sacrifices made by the martyrs. On this occasion, he gave detailed information about the achievements of
the government and gave information about the development work done in every sector.He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab S. Bhagwant Singh Mann Ji, today Punjab is earning fame in the fields of electricity, agriculture, education, law and order, civil services, war against terrorism, infrastructure, urban development, all-round development of villages, getting vacated illegal encroachments from panchayat lands, health, creating an investment-friendly environment and industry.
He said that the expansion of Aam Aadmi clinics, new ambulances, free electricity, easy registry, cleaning of ponds and tanks in all villages of Punjab for the first time after independence, providing water to the tails, war against drugs, campaign against corruption, construction of rural playgrounds, giving preparation allowances to players before jobs and big sports competitions, health insurance of 10 lakhs for all and formation of industrialists' committees for the development of industries, are such decisions due to which Punjab is taking steps towards writing new chapter of progress.
He said that this year the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is being observed on a grand scale by the Punjab Government.He said that the Punjab Government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann is once again ready to make the state a 'Colorful Punjab, Laughing and Playing Punjab' and continuous efforts are being made in this direction.