Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, August 15:
The 79th Independence Day was celebrated with pomp and show at the Shaheed Lieutenant Navdeep Singh (Ashok Chakra) Stadium of Government College, Gurdaspur, wherein Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Water Supply and Sanitation, Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian hoisted the National Flag. Earlier, the Cabinet Minister paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the statue of Shaheed Lieutenant Navdeep Singh and at the martyrs’ gallery situated in the stadium.
While addressing the gathering during the district-level function, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian extended greetings to the people of Gurdaspur, saying that “We are inhabitants of a free country only because of the various movements and struggles waged for the nation’s independence by Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Diwan Singh Kalapani and other freedom fighters.” The Cabinet Minister categorically added, “We are proud that Punjabis made the maximum sacrifices during the nation’s freedom struggle.”
He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann took oath of his office at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh and that portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and architect of the Constitution Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar have been installed in government offices. Mohali International Airport has been named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and a statue of Shaheed-e-Azam has been installed there.
Highlighting the state government’s achievements, the Cabinet Minister said that the state government is providing 300 units of free electricity every month to residents, resulting in zero bills for 90% of consumers. He said that the Mann government has so far provided government jobs to more than 55,000 youth. A total of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are successfully operating across the state and 200 more new clinics are being opened. Free medicines and free tests are conducted in these clinics.
S. Mundian informed, now the government has made a historic decision to provide health insurance of Rs.10 lakh for every state resident from October 2. He said that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign is ongoing at war level and the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and corruption.
While referring to the revenue reforms, the Cabinet Minister said that in the Revenue Department, nexuses were foiled by transferring officials from tehsildars to registry clerks. People are being provided convenient services through facilities such as Easy Registry and Easy Jamabandi. The state government has started 118 ‘Schools of Eminence’ and under the “Sikhya Kranti”, teachers have been sent abroad for specialized training.
S. Hardeep Singh Mundian further said that the state government is providing 100% piped water supply to rural households. He said farming is the backbone of our economy and the state government has revived 14,000 water courses to bring water to the tail ends.
He said that Punjab is the first state in the country to create a unique police force like Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF), which is saving the lives of road accident victims. He said that investment is being promoted in the state and the OTS scheme has been introduced for industrialists. He said that a new sports policy has been created to develop a sports culture in the state. ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ has been started and sports nurseries and playgrounds are being built in villages. In the last three and a half years, prize money of Rs.100 crores has been distributed to winners of Olympics, Asian, Commonwealth and National Games.
S. Mundian said that the state government is providing financial assistance of Rs.1 crore to the family of the martyr.
He said that this year marks the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, which the Punjab Government is going to celebrate on a grand scale with devotion.
He said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the comprehensive development of Gurdaspur district. This border district has given Punjab and the country great renowned players, writers and soldiers. The state government has constructed ‘Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Interstate Bus Terminal’ in Gurdaspur at a cost of Rs14.92 crores. Besides this, an under railway bridge has been constructed on Tibbri Road at a cost of Rs.21 crores. A new tehsil complex and sub-tehsil office has been constructed in Dinanagar at a cost of Rs.9 crores. New tehsil complexes worth Rs.l6.61 crores in Kalanaur and Rs.11 crores in Batala have been constructed, which will soon be dedicated to the public. Nabipur drain has been concretized at a cost of Rs.5.70 crores. Over Rs.31 crores are being spent on health facilities at the district hospital. He said that 62 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the district are providing health services to district residents. The old closed civil hospital has been restarted and given the status of a Community Health Center. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is determined to make the state ‘Rangla Punjab, Hasda Khelda te in Khushaal Punjab’ and continuous efforts are being made in this direction.
Earlier, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with Deputy Commissioner Sh. Dalvinderjit Singh and SSP Sh. Aditya, inspected the parade contingents. Led by DSP Gurvinder Singh, Punjab Police personnel, women platoon, Punjab Home Guards, NCC contingents and Punjab Police band team performed a spectacular march past. During the ceremony, the Cabinet Minister specially honoured freedom fighters and their family members, war widows and martyrs’ family members. Tricycles and sewing machines provided by the District Red Cross Society were distributed to needy individuals. Students from various educational institutions of the district presented spectacular programs filled with patriotism and Punjabi culture.
The Revenue Minister also handed over appointment letters to 18 patwaris appointed in Gurdaspur district. Assistant Commissioner (General) Sh. Aditya Gupta was specially honoured for exemplary services during Operation Sindhur. Subsequently, the chief guest specially honoured officers, employees, social workers, teachers, doctors, players and others who performed commendable work in the district.
During the ceremony, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian’s wife Mrs. Simardeep Kaur, son Jashandeep Singh, daughters Agamdeep Kaur, Arshandeep Kaur, Komaldeep Kaur and nephew Prince Saini were also specially present.
District and Sessions Judge S. Dilbag Singh Jauhal, DIG S. Nanak Singh, Punjab Health Systems Corporation Chairman Sh. Raman Bahil, newly appointed District President and Chairman of District Planning Committee Gurdaspur Sh. Joban Randhawa, Lok Sabha constituency Gurdaspur in-charge and Chairman Town Improvement Trust Gurdaspur Sh. Rajiv Sharma, Sh. Shamsher Singh Dinanagar, Market Committee Gurdaspur Chairman Sh. Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Dr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, Sub Divisional Officer Manjit Singh Rajla, SP Jugraj Singh, RTA Navjot Sharma, former PCS officer O.P. Varma and other officers and prominent personalities were also present on this occasion.
