Chandigarh/Patiala, August 15:
Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO today hoisted the national flag during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Raja Bhalinder Singh Sports Complex, Polo Ground Patiala. Extending heartfelt greetings to the people of Punjab, he paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters, martyrs and warriors of various movements who laid down their lives for the nation’s independence. On this occasion, he honoured the descendants of freedom fighters, including Mohkam Singh Chauhan, with special felicitations.
Addressing the gathering, Harbhajan Singh ETO said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is moving rapidly towards becoming a prosperous, happy and progressive state. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs and ensure the overall development of Patiala, which he said had been neglected by previous governments. The Minister highlighted that a ₹110 crore project under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme has been initiated in Patiala district for laying new lines, installing transformers and upgrading the power network to provide uninterrupted electricity supply to residents. He added that more than 55,000 youth have been provided jobs, the honorarium for the families of martyrs has been doubled from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, and Agniveers have been brought under the ambit of this scheme. The government has also implemented 600 units of free electricity for households, eight hours of assured supply for farmers, and a ₹10 lakh health insurance cover for all.
Elaborating on infrastructure development, the Minister said that 2,173 km of new roads are being built at a cost of ₹2,130 crore, 34 bridges worth ₹185 crore have been completed, and 20 toll plazas have been shut to provide relief to the public. He pointed out that the purchase of the GVK-owned Goindwal Power Plant for ₹1,080 crore, which was named as Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Plant and the extraction of coal from the Pachhwara mines have saved the state ₹1,200 crore, besides strengthening the power sector.
Harbhajan Singh ETO also announced that the state will commemorate the 350th martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji from November 19 to 25 with great devotion, for which a special budget has been earmarked to develop religious sites related to the Guru Teg Bahadur ji. For Patiala alone, ₹80 crore has been sanctioned for the development of 35 such locations. He further highlighted the government’s strong action against drugs, which has led to the arrest of 25,000 smugglers, demolition of drug havens, and the launch of the ‘Baz Akh’ anti-drone system to curb cross-border smuggling. In agriculture, he said, reforms and diversification measures have resulted in a 70 percent reduction in stubble burning incidents this year compared to 2023, while canal water has been restored to tail-end fields after decades through the cleaning of over 18,000 khalas.
The Minister took the salute from parade contingents of the ITBP, District Police, NCC and other wings under parade commander DSP Fateh Singh Brar. Schoolchildren presented cultural performances, including Giddha and Bhangra, while students from Vani School rendered the national anthem in sign language. On behalf of the Red Cross, tricycles and sewing machines were distributed to the needy, and achievers from various fields were honoured. The event was attended by Lok Sabha MP Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurlal Ghanaur and Kulwant Singh Bazigar, PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Municipal Corporation Mayor Kundan Gogia, AAP’s state spokesperson for the war on drugs Baltej Pannu, Special DGP Arpit Shukla, DIG Kuldeep Chahal, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav and SSP Varun Sharma, senior officials and dignitaries.
