Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, August 15: Punjab Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudiyan hoisted the tricolour at Shaheed Major (Shaurya Chakra) Harminderpal Singh Government College, Mohali on the occasion of 79th Independence Day.
Remembering and paying tribute to the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters, he said that Punjabis contributed about 80% of the sacrifices during the freedom struggle. He also remembered great martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha and Udham Singh as well as thousands of unsung heroes of the freedom struggle.
Praising Indian democracy, he credited Dr. B. R. Ambedkar for laying its foundation, through which people also got the freedom to exercise their right to vote.
Chief Minister S. Highlighting the achievements of the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government, Minister Khudiyan said that free domestic electricity up to 300 units per month is benefiting about 80% of the population. More than 55,000 jobs have been provided on merit basis ensuring transparency. Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing free health check-ups, tests and medicines. Schools have been upgraded with better infrastructure and quality education.
He said that to reduce dependence on ground water for crops, canal water supply has been expanded to prevent the groundwater level from falling. He said that Punjab contributes about 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and 130 lakh metric tonnes of wheat to the central pool.
He said that the state has shown solidarity with the families of martyrs by providing Rs 1 crore as a tribute to the martyrdom of soldiers belonging to the state and by reserving 13% quota in government jobs.
He described the Games of the homeland of Punjab as the most effective means of bringing backward sports talent to the state and national stage. He said that earlier sports were limited to Kabaddi only, which benefited only a limited section of players. He said that Olympians and Asian medal winners are being given cash prizes, jobs and financial assistance for preparation for international competitions.
Since we have now reached the limit of maximum yield/yield of agriculture, emphasizing on crop diversification, he appealed to the farmers to adopt ancillary activities like dairying, pig farming, goat farming and poultry farming. He said that indoor treatment facilities for animals have also been started in veterinary polyclinics.
He announced that the first Bio Fertilizer Lab in Punjab will be started soon in Mohali and will be opened in Gurdaspur and Bathinda after that, which will ensure quality seeds, fertilizers and chemicals in agriculture.
Speaking on the government's anti-drug commitment, he said that the war on drugs campaign has dealt a major blow to the drug network, including exemplary actions like demolition of properties acquired through drug money and recovery of illegally occupied lands.
He also told about the state-level programs to be conducted by the government from November 19-25 on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
Minister Khudiyan also inspected the Independence Day parade led by DSP Jatinder Singh Chauhan along with DC Komal Mittal and SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans.
Five brave women were honoured on the occasion, and the district administration had visited freedom fighter Gurdev Singh at his residence yesterday to congratulate him on his old age. The Agriculture Minister also paid tribute to Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh (Shaurya Chakra), after whom the Government College has been named.
The function featured tableaux from various departments, cultural performances by school students, participation of NCC cadets, and singing of the national anthem by special students of Government Primary School, 3B1.
Dr. Sunny Singh Ahluwalia (Chairman, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board), Parminder Singh Goldy (Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board), Prabhjot Kaur (Chairperson, District Planning Committee), Vineet Verma (Member, Punjab Traders Commission), Amit Jain (Member, Punjab Gau Sewa Commission), Harsukhinder Singh Babbi Badal, and S.S. Srivastava (Special DGP, Security, Punjab) was involved.