PEOPLE SHOULD ASSIST PUNJAB GOVT TO WIN WAR AGAINST DRUGS: TRIPAT RAJINDER SINGH BAJWA

Issru (Ludhiana), August 15, 2018: Punjab Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa has called upon the residents of state to assist the Punjab government in winning the war against drugs. He said that like our great martyrs fought for Independence of our country, people of our state should fight against the drugs so that our state becomes independent from drugs soon.

He said this while addressing the gathering here today during a state level function organised to commemorate the Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Master Karnail Singh Issru, the first Punjabi Martyr of ‘Goa Liberation Movement’.

While speaking on the occasion, Cabinet Minister Mr Bajwa said that till the time people assist the state government wholeheartedly, the war against drugs cannot be won. He said that the Panchayat elections would be held soon and the women would get 50 percent reservation so that they can participate for the overall development of the state. He said that for bringing in more transparency in development works, the elected representatives would be made accountable and their responsibilities would be fixed so that development is carried out without any discrimination. He informed that the Punjab government has fixed a target of year 2022 for providing sewerage facility in 60 percent villages of the state.

Lashing out at the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janta party combine, Punjab Forest Minister Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsot said that the SAD-BJP is responsible for the problem of drugs in the state. He said that when the SAD-BJP was in power in the state (from 2007-2017), they did not make any efforts to strengthen our economy. He said that ever since the Capt Amarinder Singh led Punjab government came to power in the state, sincere efforts are being made to bring our economy back on track. He said that people would come to know about the real face of SAD-BJP combine when the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report is tabled in the Vidhan Sabha.

He said that the supply line of drugs have been broken by the Congress-led Punjab government and the state government is committed for the rehabilitation of former drug addicts and free treatment is also offered to those who want to shun drugs on their own. He also announced that soon, the pension amount would be increased, besides the amount of Shagan Scheme and other welfare schemes would also be increased.

Member of Parliament and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Mr Sunil Kumar Jakhar have called upon the Punjabis to reject Referendum 2020, which is the handiwork of some anti-national forces. He said that Aam Aadmi Party is a bunch of power hungry people, who can go to any extent to save their own posts. He said that the recently held Referendum 2020 event organised in London has been rejected by both Punjabis and Sikhs.

He said that the previous SAD-BJP government literally “looted” the state exchequer, due to which when the Congress party came to power, the state was reeling under acute financial crunch. He said that now, the Capt Amarinder Singh led state government is making sincere efforts for strengthening our economy. On this occasion, he assured that very soon, the Punjab government would release a grant of Rs 1 crore for the overall development of Issue village. He also stated that he would speak to the Chief Minister for getting government job for one family member of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru.

The speakers said that be it the Pre-independence era or the post-independence, the Punjab had always strived hard to protect the honour and dignity of India at all fronts. They said that every body was fully familiar with the fact that 80% sacrifices had been made by the Punjabis during the National Independence struggle.

Khanna MLA Mr Gurkirat Singh Kotli spoke in detail about the problems of village Issru and nearby areas, and said that had the previous government paid any heed towards the problems, he would not have spoken about them. He said that the previous government did not carry out any development in the constituency and urged the Chief Guest that a memorial in memory of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, a sports stadium, 100 percent sewerage for Khanna town, upgradation of Focal Point, etc should be carried out by the state government. He also urged them to hold a special meeting with the Chief Minister in this regard.

Earlier, all senior leaders paid floral tributes at the statue of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru and honoured his family members.

Prominent amongst those present on this occasion included, Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru’s wife Charanjit Kaur, Samrala MLAs Amrik Singh Dhillon, Lakhbir Singh Lakha, Kuljit Singh Nagra, Gurpreet Singh GP, former ministers Tej Parkash Singh Kotli, Malkit Singh Dakha, Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Kumar Agrawal, Khanna SSP Dhruv Dahiya, besides several others.