Punjab launches atta dal scheme

The Punjab Government has today formally launched the subsidized Atta Dal scheme for the poor in the state.

An announcement to this effect was made by Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal while addressing an impressive gathering during the state level celebrations of country's 61st Independence Day after unfurling the National Flag at Government College for Boys Ludhiana. Mr.Badal said that with the launching of this scheme Government had fulfill its promise made in the SAD-BJP elections manifesto during last assembly elections. He further said that the state government had relaxed criterion for Below Poverty Line (BPL) eligibility by raising the national bar from Rs.7200 per annum to Rs.30000 per annum and extended this benefit to approximately 14 lac families in the state.

Mr.Badal also announced that the farmers in possession of 42000 acres of government land on the river banks would also be given ownership rights on that particular land they were cultivating at a very nominal cost. Reiterating his commitment to eradicate poverty and eliteracy from the state completely. Mr.Badal said that it was unfortunate that even after 60 years of Independence these two major problems were still prevailing and the dreams of prosperous India that our freedom fighters had seen was still look like a dream. He exhorted the people to come forwarded to change the fate of the country by dedicating themselves to this noble cause and imbibe the spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst every Indian.

According to a recent survey 1/3rd India population survived on less than Rs.20 per day, said Mr.Badal. He further added that condition of poor in Punjab's villages as well cities remains very shocking despite the myth of its being a great a prosperous state. He informed that in view of this the state government had undertaken an ambitious programme aimed especially at the upliftment of the poor, providing them basic necessities and fighting illiteracy, unemployment, drug menace and other evils.

The Chief Minister said that to ensure the fast and planned development in urban area that government had chalked out a comprehensive programme plan to develop Ludhiana and Amritsar as a modern cities in North India and funds amounting to Rs. 2053 crore and Rs.3150 crore respectively would be spent to provide all the basic facilities in these cities. Besides 40 other towns had been also identified and funds were arranged for similar development works. Rs.240 crore and Rs.160 crore would be spent separately only for the development and cleanness of the slums in Ludhiana and Amritsar cities respectively. He also said that with the concerted efforts of the State government GoI had approved the project to build the 6 laning road between Jalandhar and Delhi. Mr.Badal said that he was seeking the approval to extend this project upto Wagha. He said that for strengthening and widening of 5300 KM state roads Rs.3540 crore would be spent.

Mr. Badal said that the government would appoint 16670 teachers within next two months and government would ensure to set up atleast one Adarsh school in every assembly constituency to impart free education to the bright children of poor families. Lauding the efforts to tackle the problems of drug addiction, Mr.Badal said that 20 beds in every government hospital would be made reserve for the drug addicted patients besides a new programme of tele medicine to link all the district hospitals with PGI at Chandigarh and other three government medical colleges in Punjab would also be establish. With a view to facilitate doctors all over the state to get specialized opinion for any case. Skill Training Centres to be set up to generate more employment opportunities for Punjabi youth, said the Chief Minister. He further added that a security training centre would also be established at Ladda Kothi to train our youth for security services.

Extending warm greetings to all Punjabis for a most peaceful and prosperous future, Mr Badal recalled the matchless and unparallel contribution of Punjab in brining about the Independence of the country. He recalled that nearly 80 per cent of the warriors who made great sacrifices during country's freedom struggle belonged to Punjab. Not only this, Punjab being the border state suffered the brunt of Partition in which lakhs of families faced the wrath of marauders while others lost their dear ones. Bowing his head in reverence to freedom fighters whose supreme sacrifices freed the country from the British.

The Chief Minster unfurled the National Flag and took salute from an excellent parade comprising of contingents of PAP, Punjab Police Academy Phillaur, Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC (Boys and Girls), NCC Air Wing, Ex-Servicemen, Scouts and Girl Guides.

On this occasion, Mr. Badal presented State Level Awards comprising of a Memento, Citation, Shawls and cash award to 27 prominent personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields. The awardees included Late Sh. Rajinder Singh Gola, Miss Isha Dang, Mr. Kashish Mittal, Mr. Daljit Singh, Mr. Karnail Singh, Mr. Surinder Garg, Dr Jatinder Kaur Arora, Dr Neelam Gulati Sharma, Mr. Barjinder Pal Singh, Mrs Saroj Rani, Dr Sadara Singh Pawar, Mr. Anup Kumar, Mr. Vijay Breja, Mrs. Manjit Kaur, Mr. Vijay Kumar Goel, Mr. Surjit Singh Duhre, Mr. Mukesh Sharma Naib Tehsildar, Mr. Randhir Singh, Mr. Tarsem Lal Bansal, Vaid Mohinder Singh, Mr. Achin Bansal, Ms Avneet Sidhu, Ms. Lakhbir Kaur, Mr. Phul Raj Singh, Dr. Jagjit Singh Chopra, Ms Harveen Sarao and Mr.Ranbir Singh Mudhal, DDPO Gurdaspur. The Chief Minister also presented the President Medal Award to Mr.Bahadur Lal and Mr.Avtar Singh, both Company Commander Punjab Home Guard. The Chief Minister also honoured freedom fighters and his family members.

The Chief Minister also presented 20 sewing machines to the needy widows and 16 Tricycles to the handicapped persons and honored 25 freedom fighters/family members. In the function, school children presented a beautiful cultural program and mass PT show. Mr. Badal announced a grant of Rs1 Lakh for the participating children and holiday on 16 th of August in all the Education Institutions.

Later interacting with the media persons in the presence of President of the Punjab State unit of BJP, Prof.Rajinder Bhandari had made it clear that there were no differences between SAD and BJP on the issue of the Mayors.

In replying to another question, Mr.Badal said that the three thermal plants having total capacity of 5000 MWs at Goindwal, Talwandi Sabo and Nabha were being established in addition to these Punjab government was seeking the approval of GoI for two new power plants at Rajpura and Sitoguno. He further said that state government had also signed an agreement for bio-mass power unit (250 MW capacity).

Among others who were present on this occasion included Mrs.Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of the Chief Minister, Mr. Sharajit Singh Dhillon MP, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi former President SGPC, Mr.Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Harish Bedi (Both MLAs), Mr.Mehesh Inder Singh Grewal, Ex-Minister, Mr.NPS Aulkh, DGP Punjab Police, Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Ishwar Singh DIG Ludhiana Range, Mr. R K Jaiswal SSP Ludhiana and Mr. Vikas Partap Singh Commissioner MC.