Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Amid slogans of ‘Saada naara, Captain dobaraa’, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday declared that he would not quit politics till he had ensured jobs for the youth and opportunities for all to grow in a progressive Punjab.
Addressing Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) members and workers at the installation ceremony of the youth wing’s newly elected office-bearers, including its president Birinder Singh Dhillon, at the Congress Bhavan here, Capt Amarinder made it clear that he would continue to lead the state in its growth and development.
“This is my state, you are all my people…I will always be here for you, and will not go anywhere till I have ensured the welfare of every citizen of Punjab,” the chief minister vowed, amidst cheers and slogans from an enthusiastic crowd of youth.
The chief minister exhorted the youth to come forward to protect and safeguard the nation and its constitutional principles of democracy and secularism.
The Congress was the only party that could provide secular, democratic rule, he said, describing the situation prevailing in the country today as extremely distressing.
The Congress fought for India’s independence and the Constitution was framed on the Preamble of a socialist, secular, democratic republic, he pointed out, adding that though the various Articles of the Constitution had since undergone many amendments, the Preamble has remained untouched.
The Preamble cannot be allowed to be tinkered with, said Capt Amarinder, lashing out at the current attempts by the BJP to divide the nation.
“What prevails today is not lok raj but gunda raj. We all know what happened with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Uttar Pradesh,” he said, underlining the need for youth to take the lead in saving the country.
Referring to his government’s development agenda for Punjab, the chief minister said it was his vision to revive the state’s economic health, and added that he was perpetually thinking of ways and means of doing so.
Referring to his government’s flagship ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ scheme, he said the private sector was supporting the initiative in a big way to supplement job opportunities for youth.
A large number of youth had already secured good jobs in the private sector, with one girl even getting a yearly package of Rs 42 lakh, he pointed out, adding that his government was doing its best to woo industry into the state to generate more employment opportunities.
Charging the Akalis with ruining the state to promote their self-interest, Capt Amarinder blamed them for the spread of drugs and gangster culture in the state.
