Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal lightening the lamp during Shobha Yatra organised by Shree Ram Navami Utsav Committee to mark Ram Navami at Jalandhar. The President of Shree Ram Navami Utsav Committee and Chief Editor of Hind Samachar Group Vijay Kumar Chopra is also seen in picture.
Jalandhar, April 20, 2013: Slamming the Congress led UPA government for imposing wealth tax on the farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday said that this move of the Centre would ruin the peasantry by giving crushing blow to them.
Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that this unfortunate step of the UPA government has exposed its anti-farmer’s stance before the people adding that the imposition of the wealth tax would further accentuate the agonies of the peasantry. He categorically said that due to the adverse policies of the Union government like the stupendous hike in the agricultural inputs coupled with the non-remunerative MSP, the farmers of the state were already on the crossroads. Badal said that to further aggravate the situation the Union government has now decided to impose this tax ‘arbitrarily’. “After examining the tax we will vigorously raise this matter with the Union government to safeguard the interests of the farmers” he added.
Replying to a query the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was committed for preserving the hard earned peace of the state due to which they were seeking mercy for Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, who has been given death sentence by the Apex Court. He said that death sentence to Bhullar could disturb the peace of the state and provide fresh breeding ground to the anti-social elements due to which they have raised this matter with the Prime Minister and the President.
The Chief Minister also said that the state government was committed for eradicating the cancer from Punjab due to which stupendous efforts were being made by the state government. He said that in order to further facilitate the Cancer patients for getting relief under the Chief Minister’s Cancer relief fund, the state government was now mulling to give cash relief to the patients instead of giving it to the hospitals. Badal said that the matter was under the active consideration of the state government and a decision regarding it would be taken soon.
Later on the Chief Minister accompanied by Speaker Punjab Assembly Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Cabinet Ministers Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Jathedar Ajit Singh Kohar, Chunni Lal Bhagat, Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, State BJP Chief Kamal Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries KD Bhandari, Pawan Teenu and Som Parkash, MLAs Manoranjan Kalia and Pargat Singh, MP Avinash Rai Khanna, former Minister Master Mohan Lal and former MLA Sarabjeet Singh Makkar took part in a Shobha Yatra organised by Shri Ram Navami Utsav Committee led by its President and Chief Editor of Hind Samachar Group Vijay Kumar Chopra to mark Ram Navami. Felicitating the people on the auspicious occasion Badal said that this sacred day symbolizes the unity of mankind and brotherhood besides moral and spiritual values preached by Maryada Purshotam Lord Rama.
The Chief Minister said that Lord Rama showed us the path of ideal and virtuous living to carve out a prosperous and harmonious society adding that the teachings and philosophy of Lord Rama was still relevant in the present materialistic society. Lauding the efforts made by Shree Ram Utsav Committee under the leadership of Vijay Kumar Chopra for perpetuating the legacy of Lord Rama, Badal said that such efforts not only promote communal harmony, brotherhood and mutual understanding amongst the people but also showers bountiful joy and prosperity on them.
Earlier the Chief Minister accompanied by Member Secretary of Jang-e-Azaadi foundation and the Chief Editor of the Ajit Group of Newspapers Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard visited the office of the foundation at PUDA Complex in the city. During the visit Dr Hamdard and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation Vinay Bublani apprised Badal that the office has started its functioning from the beginning of this month.
Expressing happiness over the starting of the office, the Chief Minister said that it would prove to be stepping stone for the construction of this world class project. Interacting with the officials involved in the project he asked them to expedite the process of starting the project besides ensuring that its work was completed in a time bound manner while adhering with all the quality norms. Badal said that the project which was to be constructed over 25 acres of land in Kartarpur at a cost of Rs 200 crore was of paramount significance as it would showcase the valuable contribution made by the Punjabis in the national freedom struggle.
The Chief Minister said that the work on this world class memorial which would help in perpetuating the rich cultural heritage of the state amongst the coming generations would start soon adding that it would be a humble and befitting tribute from the state government to the great heroes and martyrs from all over the country, who had laid down their lives to free our motherland from the yoke of British imperialism. He said that the site of the memorial has been carefully selected by the state government as it lies on the National highway number one, which would facilitate the people across the border to visit the memorial and pay homage to the freedom fighters.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries KD Bhandari and Pawan Kumar Tinu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Deputy Commissioner Shruti Singh.