Chandigarh/Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, August 15:
Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljir Kaur on Friday hoisted tricolour here at ITI Ground during a district level function to celebrate 79th Independence Day.
The Minister also paid tributes to Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh at Khatkar Kalan before presiding over district level event.
After hoisting national flag, the Cabinet Minister inspected the parade, took salute from the march past and honoured the people from all walks of life for their remarkable services in different sectors. In her address, the Minister said that Punjab government under Chief Minister’s leadership was making is landmark in endeavours to realise the dreams of great freedom fighters, patriots and martyrs. She pointed out that the peerless sacrifices made by our great martyrs and freedom fighters led to the independence being relished by present generations. She said that all of us were the residents of independent India due to the freedom struggle of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Diwan Singh Kalepani and other freedom fighters.
Listing the achievements of Punjab Government, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that in the month of September prices to recruit as many as 5000 workers and helpers in Aanganwari Centres across Punjab would be initiated. This recruitment would further strengthen Anganwadi centers, said the Minister adding that new buildings of 1000 Anganwadi centers are being constructed in Punjab as a budget outlay of Rs. 100 crore had already been earmarked while the work at 300 centers was accomplished. The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has already announced to establish 3073 model playgrounds during the 2025-26 fiscal to further boost sports culture in Punjab, she added.
The Minister also announced that the recruitment process was already in place for veterinary officials with 405 more new veterinary officers would be recruited shortly. She said that Punjab Government will unveil a pilot project to plant saplings and beautify the highways in five districts initially at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s native village Khatkar Kalan and its adjoining areas, Sangrur, Pathankot and Amritsar.
Citing the success of ‘Jeevanjot Project’, the Minister said it was first of its kind across the country under which more than 600 children were rescued and handed over to the parents besides enrolling them in schools. The Minister said that Punjab government was also focusing on establishing and running libraries in 196 villages while the work of 135 more libraries was underway. She said that health and education sectors were the foremost priorities for the State Government which were getting unparalleled reforms thus benefitting the lakhs of people in Punjab. She said that the health insurance of Rs. 10 lakhs to each Punjabi would another major welfare initiative.
Referring to 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Minister said that the Forest Department will plant 3.50 lakh saplings in each district during 2025-26 under the ‘Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Haryaval Sankalp’. She said that as part of the “Yudh Nashean Virudh” campaign, a unique anti-drug curriculum has been started for students of classes IX to XII in all government schools, under which about 8 lakh students are being sensitised about the ill-effects of drugs. She said that the Punjab government was running 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state to provide first-class health services to the people, in which 107 types of medicines and 47 types of lab tests are done absolutely free.
The Minister also mentioned that In view of the upcoming paddy procurement season, adequate arrangements will be ensured till September 15. Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Heritage Complex, to be built at a cost of Rs 51.70 Crore at Khatkar Kalan, would be ready in the next 9 months thus carrying forward the legacy of the great martyrs besides a source of inspiration for the new generations. She said that the Punjab government was establishing a critical care block at the Civil Hospital in Nawanshahr at a cost of Rs 12.55 crore. This ultra-modern block with a capacity of 50 beds will be ready shortly. Similarly, an integrated laboratory is also being set up at the Civil Hospital at a cost of Rs 1.06 crore and the blood bank built at a cost of Rs 42 lakh will also become functional soon. On this occasion, MLA Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, MLA Santosh Kataria, MLA Nachhatar Pal, Nawanshahr Halka Incharge Lalit Mohan Pathak, Vice Chairman of Water Resources Management and Development Board Kuljit Sarhal, Chairman of District Planning Committee Satnam Jalalpur, Coordinator of Banga constituency Harjot Kaur Lohtia, Chairman of Market Committee Gagan Agnihotri, IG S. Bhoopathi, Deputy Commissioner Ankurjeet Singh, SSP Dr. Mehtab Singh, besides officers of various departments, a large number of students etc. were present.
