Bhagwant Mann Government committed to building a Rangla Punjab envisioned by martyrs: Gurmeet Singh Khuddian
– Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister unfurls National Flag at Patiala on 80th Independence Day
Patiala, August 15:
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is working to build a Rangla Punjab envisioned by the martyrs. He unfurled the National Flag at the district-level 80th Independence Day function in Patiala, inspected the impressive parade, took the salute and honoured descendants of freedom fighters. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal and SSP Varun Sharma were also present.
Paying homage to the freedom fighters and martyrs, including Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai and Shaheed Diwan Singh Kalepani, S. Khuddian said Punjabis had made the highest sacrifices in the freedom struggle, enabling the country to breathe in a free atmosphere today.
Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had taken an oath at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, on the very first day of forming the government to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs. He said the government remained fully committed to fulfilling this pledge and was working for the welfare of serving soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. He also highlighted the decision to provide ex-gratia assistance of ₹1 crore to the next of kin of soldiers who attain martyrdom, including Agniveers.
On agriculture, S. Khuddian said Punjab’s farmers had made the highest contribution to the country’s food grain reserves despite the depletion of soil health and groundwater. He said stubble-burning incidents declined by 53% during the last paddy season, while subsidies ranging from 50% to 80% were provided on 1.58 lakh crop-residue management machines. Direct-seeded paddy was brought under 4 lakh acres this year, compared with 2.93 lakh acres last year, to conserve groundwater. He added that ₹7,200 crore had been spent on improving canal irrigation, resulting in a significant shift towards the use of canal water instead of groundwater.
He said the Punjab Government was making efforts to acquaint the younger generation with the rich legacy of its Gurus and Bhagats. The state is celebrating the 650th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji on a large scale, besides organising the Hamare Ram play and Ek Shaam Shiv Ke Naam programme. The government had earlier also commemorated the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with devotion.
The Minister highlighted initiatives relating to employment and education, Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojana, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Aam Aadmi Clinics, industry and trade, the war against drugs and gangsters, road construction and upgradation, 300 units free electricity, transport, clean drinking water, administrative reforms, rural development, sports and the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme. He said the government was steadily moving towards making Punjab a Rangla Punjab.
During the ceremony, 10 contingents comprising ITBP, Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC, First IRB Pipe Band, Red Cross St John Ambulance Brigade, Old Police Lines School, Guide Squad, Senior Secondary Model School and Punjabi University students participated in the parade and presented the salute. The Chief Guest also distributed sewing machines to seven beneficiaries and needy women, six tricycles and one wheelchair through the Indian Red Cross Society, Patiala. Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has announced a holiday for all government and private schools in Patiala district on Monday, August 17, to mark Independence Day.
Students from various schools and colleges presented a colourful cultural programme, while the Meeri-Peeri Ranjit Akhara Budha Dal and students showcased impressive Gatka performances.
Tableaux depicting development works of the Education, Police, Health, Forest, Social Security & Women and Child Development, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Sports Departments, along with the Municipal Corporation, were also presented.
The District Administration honoured Cabinet Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian with a memento. He also honoured four martyr families of the district and UPSC-qualified IAS officers Simrandeep Kaur, Rasneet Kaur and Jayant Garg. Parade officials, platoon commanders, persons who had performed commendably in various fields, and teams and in-charges of the cultural programmes were also honoured.
The national song ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung at both the beginning and conclusion of the ceremony to pay tribute to Mother India and remember the sacrifices of millions of Indians during the freedom struggle. Students of Government College for Girls presented the National Anthem, while students of Vaani Integrated School for Deaf and Special Children participated through sign language.
The event was attended by Lok Sabha Member Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi, MLAs Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Gurlal Ghanaur, In-charge Sanaur Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Mayor Kundan Gogia, District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, Improvement Trust Chairman Harpal Singh Virk, Jagdeep Jagga; Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Chairman Ashok Sirswal, Traders Commission Chairman Sanjeev Gupta and Gurpreet Singh Dhamoli, District & Sessions Judge Avtar Singh, Padma Shri Jagjit Singh Dardi, theatre personality Pran Sabharwal, Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jagdeep Singh; RGNUL Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jaishankar Singh, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Open University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rattan Singh, Divisional Commissioner Vinay Bublani, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, SSP Varun Sharma, ADCs Damanjit Singh Mann and Anuprita Johal, Municipal Commissioner Pooja Syal, SP Vaibhav Chaudhary, besides councillors, the Coordinator of the War Against Drugs campaign, other leaders and dignitaries, students and residents.