Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Nawanshehar, Giving a gift of ‘robust canal irrigation’ network to the farmers of Doaba region, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to complete the work of rejuvenation of Bist Doab canal and Kandi Canal, the two major arteries of irrigation in the region, by coming July.
Addressing a mammoth gathering here after inaugurating the work of renovation of Bist Canal network at a cost of Rs 320 crore here today, the Chief Minister said that while the work of Bist Doab canal would be completed by end of June this year, the ongoing work on Kandi canal would be over by the end of July. He said that these projects would prove to be a big boon for the farmers of entire Doaba region as it would enhance the flow of canal water thereby reducing the burden on Tube wells for irrigation besides checking the trend of depleting ground water level. Mr. Badal said that the mega project for sprucing up the Bist Doab Canal network was first of its kind as it is for the first time that concrete lining of the canal network would be done instead of the conventional brick lining adding that earlier, this technique was exclusively used in the construction of dams.
Likewise, the Chief Minister also announced to launch a pilot project for developing Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar as a ‘Model Healthcare District’. He said under this project all the posts of the Medical and para medical staff in the district would be filled on priority basis adding that all the hospitals in the district would be equipped with ultra modern machines for imparting quality healthcare services to the people. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that the local civil hospital would be provided facility of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for infants.
The Chief Minister said that the top priority of the state government was to maintain communal harmony and peace in the state besides ensuring its holistic development. He said that the state government would spend Rs 6500 crore for providing basic civic amenities to the residents in cities across the state. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that the state government has spend Rs 1000 crore to perpetuate the glorious legacy of the state adding that this year War Heroes Memorial cum Museum , Jang-e-Azadi Memorial and Bhagwan Valmiki Temple cum Panorama Centre would be dedicated to the nation.
The Chief Minister said that in order to bail out the farmers from the current crisis the state government was providing free power to them worth Rs 5000 crore every year. Likewise, he said that to provide affirmative say to peasantry in the policies and programmes related to agricultural and allied activities, the state to establish farmers’ advisory body Punjab Kisan Vikas Chamber (PKVC) on the pattern of industrial organizations like Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), PHD Chamber of Commerce, Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (Assocham) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).
Lashing out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Chief Minister described it as was pack of ‘entertainers and fugitives’, who were trying to mislead the people through malicious propaganda. Cautioning the people to don’t fell prey of tantrums of AAP leaders, he said that these leaders neither have any credibility nor have any vision to develop the state. Mr. Badal said that there was nothing ‘Aam’ in this party, which failed to perform in Delhi even after one year of assuming power. “I urge to beware of the opportunist AAP leaders as they are totally bereft of any ideology to ensure welfare of people” he added.
Taking the Congress party to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that the Punjabis could never forgive the Congress party for its sins against Punjab. Mr. Badal said that Congress has irrelevantly meddled in the social, political, economic and even religious affairs of the state. He further bemoaned that the Congress governments at the centre had deliberately denied the state of Punjabi speaking areas, its capital Chandigarh and even its legitimate share in river waters. “How can any true Punjabi forget due to step motherly treatment of Congress, economy of the state has been ruined” questioned Mr. Badal.
Earlier in his address Irrigation Minister Mr Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon said that the entire Doaba region was grateful to Chief Minister for sanctioning this prestigious project aimed at safeguarding the interests of farmers of the state. He said that it was a historic day for the state and people would ever remain indebted to Mr Badal for this magnanimity.
In his address, Lok Sabha MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra recalled the several pro-people and pro – farmer initiatives taken by the state government. He said that SAD-BJP alliance government has taken several steps to safeguard rights of every strata of society.
Welcoming the Chief Minister, Chairman MARKFED Mr Jarnail Singh Wahid thanked him for giving several key projects to this region.
Earlier the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of District Administrative Complex and inaugurated the newly constructed Panchayat Samiti Rest House.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Chaudhary LANand Lal and Bibi Mohinder Kaur Josh, MLA Mr. Surinder Singh Bhullewalrarthan, Chairman District Planning Committee SBS Nagar Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi, former MLAs Mrs. Jatinder Kaur Kariha and Chaudhary Mohan Lal Banga, Joint Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Kumar Amit, Secretary Irrigation Mr Kahan Singh Pannu and Deputy Commissioner Mr, Vipul Ujjawal.
