Badal asks Modi to undo injustice with Punjab, resolve issue of river waters, Chandigarh

MOHALI: Punjab Chief Minister today strongly raised the issue of injustice and discrimination done with Punjab by the successive government at center and appealed to Prime Minister Narender Modi to undo the justice done to border state which has contributed largely in the freedom struggle of country.
Addressing the Independence Day fuction here Chief Minister said that Punjab had not only made the country self-reliant in food but also safeguarded the security and sivereignty of the nation.
Badal lamented that the supreme sacrifices made by brave Punjabis in the pre and post independence era has not yet been duly recognized by these governments.
Badal alleged Center was deliberately depriving the state from justice on the legitimate territorial issues including the transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab and sharing of river waters on the basis of universally accepted riparian principles. Apart from these, Badal also pointed out how the state’s industry was ruined gradually after granting liberal concessions and incentives to the industry in the neighborly states.
He impressed upon the Government of India to bail out the distressed peasantry in this hour of crisis as it was now feeling totally dejected and thus called for tangible solution to end their woes immediately and make agriculture far more profitable and economically viable occupation to sustain their livelihood.
Seeking direct and personal intervention of the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister urged Modi to immediately take a call on these issues to end an era of despair and agony confronted by the beleaguered peasantry thereby formulating pro-farmer policies to boost their morale.
Lauding the efforts for keeping the traditions of bravery and patriotism alive, Badal said that the valiant Punjabis in general and especially the Punjab Police once again displayed their unparalleled courage and commitment during the call of their duty to foil the nefarious designs of inimical forces from the across the border during a recent terror attack at Dinanagar.
Complimenting the valiant Punjabis across the state for maintaining peace and communal harmony despite its geographical boundaries in close proximity with Indo-Pak border on one side and Jammu & Kashmir on the other where, violent activities were the order of the day, the Chief Minister said that Punjab was the most peaceful state in the country where the peace loving people always strongly believed in the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity and national integration.
Chief Minister also announced to provide toilet in each house of all the villages in the state to achieve the target of 100% rural sanitation.
During the function, the Chief Minister re-launched the ‘Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme’ to distribute 1.52 lakh cycles amongst the girls studying in Class 11th and 12th of Government Schools at a cost of Rs.40 crore.
Earlier, the Chief Minister, accompanied by DGP Sumedh Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, inspected the parade led by Parade Commander DSP Mr. Rajpal Singh and took a salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides besides the Punjab Armed Police band. A colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha and group dance presented by the students of various local schools regaled the audience.On the occasion, the Chief Minister honored the freedom fighters and next of their kin, in recognition with their superb contribution in the country’s freedom struggle, with a shawl.During the function, the Chief Minister also honored 38 eminent personalities from different walks of life for making outstanding contribution in different fields with a citation, medal and cash award. Amongst the prominent recipients who were honoured with state awards included Nanak Chand, the Punjab Roadways bus driver who saved the lives of several passengers by his exemplary courage and alertness during Dinanagar terror attack and Satnam Singh Bhamara- the son of the soil for making the state proud by becoming the first Indian basketball player to be drafted in USA’s prestigious NBA League with his sheer hard work and dedication.British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh Mr. David Lelliout was a special invitee on the state level Independence Day function.