Dhuri (Sangrur), May 22:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday felicitated the cooperative societies of the Dhuri circle, who have set a new benchmark by recovering more than 99% of the loans.
Addressing the gathering during a function to commemorate the International Year of Cooperation, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the societies of the Dhuri circle have set a new benchmark by recovering more than 99% of the loans. He said that due to this a special program has been chalked out to felicitate these societies through this program. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening to see that these societies have done exceptional work when most of the others across the state have failed to recover their outstanding debt.
The Chief Minister said that the cooperative sector needs to be strengthened as it will ensure the benefit of the farmers and other stakeholders. He urged the farmers and others to open their accounts in the cooperative banks which offer 3% less interest on loans than the other banks. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there are several misnomers about the Cooperative banks and the farmers should not fall prey to it.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government is roping in experts from banking sectors to further enhance the efficiency of these banks. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the need of the hour is that the farmers should open their accounts in these banks so as to give further fillip to economic activity in the banks. Expressing concern over big fat weddings in the state, he said that they are putting a huge burden on the pockets of the common farmers.
The Chief Minister, while batting for simple weddings, said that it is the need of the hour so that farmers can be pulled out of the vicious circle of debt. He said that the lavish weddings should be avoided as they put the farmers of the state under huge debt thereby leading to serious repercussions in the coming times. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the farmers should come out of the mad race of competing with each other on spending the money lavishly just as their neighbours or relatives had been doing so.
The Chief Minister also called upon the farmers to adopt the technique of using the farm equipment on custom hiring basis from the Cooperative societies as it will help them in curtailing the heavy cost expenditure meted out on farming. He said that the state government was already giving huge subsidies to the cooperative societies for purchasing such equipment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these resources should be utilized judiciously to make agriculture a profitable venture by cutting the expenditure meted out on it.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is already laying major thrust to strengthen the cooperative sector in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann unequivocally said that Cooperative sector is the lifeline of the country, which has played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the country in the post-independence era. He said that the Cooperative movement in India has immensely benefited all the sections of society particularly the farming community, who had played a crucial role in making the country self-reliant in food production.
The Chief Minister said the girls have once again outshined the boys in the result adding that it is the outcome of the concerted efforts being made by the state government to spread the light of quality education in every nook and corner of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the massive efforts being done by the state government has immensely benefited the girls thereby paving way for their empowerment by excelling in the field of education. Congratulating these meritorious students who have cleared this exam with flying colors, he extended best wishes to them for their future.
The Chief Minister said that these girls had been able to shine through their hard work and dedication adding that students, their parents and teachers deserve accolades for this achievement. He envisioned that these students will become role models for other students and inspire them to excel in the arena of education by pursuing higher education. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to providing the best environment of school education for the students, especially the girls, so that they can succeed in their lives.
The Chief Minister categorically said that Punjabis have proved that if the state can protect the borders of the country they can aptly save the waters of state too. He said that Punjab has a glorious history of making supreme sacrifices to protect the 532 kilometres long border with Pakistan. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this time also Punjabis were at the forefront giving a befitting reply to the Pakistani Army and on the other hand they saved the share of their water too.
The Chief Minister said that for around 20 days the hard working and vigilant people of the state didn’t allow Haryana and centre to steal even a single drop of water from Punjab. He said that for years, Punjab’s water has been diverted to other states through the BBMB adding that hands of Congress, Akalis and BJP were drenched with blood of Punjabis as these parties have backstabbed them by ignoring the water rights of the state for vested interests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the earlier leaders of Punjab had backstabbed the people on several issues by giving importance to their own interests over that of state.
On the occasion Registrar Cooperative Societies Vimal Setia and others were present.
