Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* FOOD PROCESSING INSTRUMENTAL IN HANDLING GLUT, INFLATION
* UNION MINISTER FOR FOOD PROCESSING GIVES INSURANCE POLICIES TO 208 FEMALE BENEFICIARIES AS RAKSHABANDHAN GIFT
Bathinda, August 27: The Union Minister for Food Processing, Government of india Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal today disclosed that skill development centers of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of india are being set up in Bathinda and Mansa districts that will usher in unparalleled development in this cotton belt and create a number of job opportunities.
The Union Minister was here today to give boota Prasad and insurance schemes to 208 girls and women under the Pradhan Mantri Bima Suraksha Yojana (PMBSY) for a period of 10 years as Rakshabandhan gift. As an elder sister Mrs Badal has paid the premium of all these beneficiaries, who are associated with Nanhi Chhan Punjab Public Charitable Trust project, from her salary enabling them to live a secure life.
Interacting with media persons, the Union Minister said that the Ministry of Textile Industries, Government of india has passed the projects of setting up of skill development centers in Bathinda and Mansa wherein around 8000 youngsters will be imparted job-oriented training. “From cotton to garments, everything would be brought under one-roof at these two parks,” she said.
She added that the Mudra Bank, set up with a corpus fund of Rs 1 lacs 22 cr, aims to fuel the entrepreneurship spirit of the poor traders who cannot afford money to expand their business. Besides this under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana youth are being trained and imparted skill development lessons. “Youth getting skill development training can opt for starting their own ventures by getting easy loans from Mudra Bank. These are the earnest initiatives of center government to impart job-oriented skills and help the youngsters earn their livelihood respectfully,” she said.
Responding to a query on the white-fly attack on the cotton crop, the Union Minister said that Punjab government has already ordered girdawari of the affected farmers so that they could be adequately compensated for the losses incurred. Answering yet another query she said that food processing was an instrumental tool in combating glut and controlling inflation thereby maintaining equilibrium in food economy.
Earlier, while addressing the gathering, Mrs Badal said that on the occasion of Rakshabandhan every brother should gift a life insurance to policy to his sister. “Under PMBSY at an annual premium of Rs 12, people between 18 to 70 years of age group get insurance cover of Rs 2 lacss in case of accidental death and Rs 1 lac in case of partial disability,” she said.
The women associated with Nanhi Chhan Punjab Public Charitable Trust were distributed these insurance policies as well as saplsings of kachnar, neem, brahma dek, sukhchian, jamun etc.
Later at the Government Girls Senior Secondary, Mall Road, the Union Minister distributed 135 cycles to the girl students under Mai Bhago Scheme. She added that the emphasis of scheme was to ensure that no girl left studies due to distance of school from her home.
Prominent among others present at the event included Chief Parliamentary Secretary mr Sarup Chand Singla, OSD to deputy CM Mr Mohnish Kumar and Mr Harinder Singh Sra, Deputy Commissioner Bathinda Dr Basant Garg, SSP Mr Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti, Mayor Mr Balwant Rai Nath, assistant media advisor to deputy CM Mr Harjinder Singh Sidhu, SAD press secretary Mr Om Prakash Sharma and others.
Meanwhile at Mansa the Union Minister distributed insurance policies to 211 women associated with Nanhi Chhan wherein she would pay for their premium for next 10 years from her own income. She also distributed cycles to 680 students of the Mansa Government Senior Secondary School under Mai Bhago Scheme. She also distributed aides to 1206 handicapped people including tricycles, hearing machines, artificial limbs etc.
