Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue and Rehabilitation, Information & Public Relations, New and Non Conventional Minister, Punjab today said that the relations between the Centre government and Punjab government would boost development in the state and expressed hope that a strong and stable government at the centre would be a reason for that. He said that it is due to good relations between the centre and the state government that several prestigious projects are getting clearance and implemented in the state. Lauding the opening of Attari border for trade by road route said that union government must explore the possibilities of extending road route trade ties with other central asian countries especially for perishable vegetable and fruits and other agro products. He said that we must exploit the low freight option to survive in the competitive export market.
Demanding early decision on oil pipeline from Tehran to India, the Revenue minister said that this pipeline would be a permanent energy solution for the future besides opening vistas for industrialisation of gas based industries in Punjab and another areas from were this pipeline moves. He also requested Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi to take up this matter with Iran to allow Punjab to export its Basmati Rice produced mainly in Border areas through the road route to Iran.Requesting the union government to set up e-visa centre at Attari, Mr Majithia said that the facilitation of visa at Attari Border would give a big boost to medical tourism in Punjab as patients from Pakistan and other countries were finding it difficult to go through lengthy visa process in medial emergencies.
Bikram Singh Majithia was the Chief Guest on the occasion of India's 66th Republic Day celebrations organised at Police Lines Stadium, here today. After unfurling the national flag and taking salute from the police personnel, he said that the country has completed more than six and half decades of determined working being guided by the principles and objectives of the Constitution that was framed after attentive discussions and adopted in 1950. He said that Punjab inherited the legacy of sacrifices in struggle from its Gurus' and Saints' who taught us to work selflessly for betterment of humanity. He said that after getting independence, Punjabis have always led the nation in safeguarding our borders besides making the country self reliant on food grains front.
He said that Mr Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has recently given clearance to a Rs 3800 project for four-laning of Bathinda-Amritsar Road, besides sanctioning several other projects. While addressing the residents of holy city of Tarn Taran, Mr Majithia extended his good wishes to the brave members of our Armed Forces and Para-military forces who are guarding our frontiers even in hostile weather and most difficult terrains He demanded a special package for the border areas of Punjab such as Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur from the centre government on the lines of special package for North Eastern states. On the ongoing visit of American president Mr Barack Obama, Mr Majithia said that it has sent a positive signal to the rest of world. He said that Punjab is the only state in the country whose employees are highly paid and said that it could have been possible only due to the favourable policies of CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal led state government. He said that the revenue of the state has doubled and that is why several pro people policies for the welfare of residents have been started.
Majithia proudly informed the residents that as per the Reserve Bank of India, Punjab has been declared third most favourable destination in the country.Majithia said that the SAD-BJP government under the leadership of CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal has launched a historic people friendly initiative to remove malpractices in registrations by starting a unique e-stamping project conceived to end people harassment and also make revenue transactions safe and secure. By 31st March, 2015 e-stamping system would be operational throughout the state, said Mr Majithia.He said that a 24x7 dedicated helpline of state Revenue department will also be started soon where residents can get their complaints registered in case of any problem. He said that the Punjab government has fixed an ambitious target under New and Renewable Energy Policy 2012, which incentivises solar and biomass based technologies and energy conservation measures, thereby, working towards sustainable energy sources. A total capacity addition of 2250 MW is targeted to be achieved by the year 2022 Patting the Punjab police for their drive against drugs, Mr Bikram Singh Majithia said that as per the records of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), 2114 kg of Heroin has been confiscated as compared to 111 kg from 2002-06. He said that 70,000 cases have been registered for drug peddling as compared to 19,501 from 2002-06 and 61,000 people have been arrested for drug peddling as compared to 22,000 from 2002-06. He said that Punjab is the only state which is combating this menace of drugs on war footing scale.He said that Solar power capacity has all set to be increased 24 times by March 2015 from 9 MW just two years ago to 220 MW with new investment to the tune of Rs.1600 crore.
Majithia said that World’s Largest Single Roof top Solar Power Project of 7.5 MW capacity has already been commissioned at Beas (Amritsar). He said that as an acknowledgement to the State government’s initiatives on renewable energy front, the Union New & Renewable Energy Ministry has sanctioned of 1000 MW Ultra Mega Solar PV Power Project for the State of Punjab.Bikram Singh Majithia said that the power generation in the state has been increased tremendously as the power generation in state in year 2007 was 6200 MW which has now touched 10532 MW. This addition of 4300 MW has been done through capital investment of Rs. 30,000 crore. He said that the problem of coal allocation has been sorted out and that now there will not be any power cuts in the state. Being land locked state, Mr Majithia said that our government had set a target to develop Punjab with most air conectivity and resultantly our state has two out of the total 13 International airports of the country. He said that Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport is fully operational after renovation and that the Mohali International Airport being built on 305 acres at the cost of Rs. 910 crore will be fully operational by September 2015.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr Harmit Singh Sandhu and Mr Virsa Singh Valtoha, Market Committee Tarn Taran chairman Mr Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, DC Mr Ravinder Singh Dhaliwal besides several others.