Finance Minister Cheema hoists the Tricolor at Patiala

Patiala, August 15

To mark Independence Day of the nation, Punjab Finance, Planning, Taxes and Excise Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema unfurled the  Tricolor here at Raja Bhalinder Singh Sports Complex Polo Ground. He also remembered the contribution made by the martyrs and freedom fighters and congratulated the people of Punjab on 75th anniversary of Independence. He honored freedom fighter Mohakam Singh Chauhan and the descendants of the freedom fighters on this occasion.

Stating that more than 80 percent of the sacrifices during the freedom struggle were made by Punjabis, the Finance Minister said that it is a matter of pride that the state government has decided to install the pictures of Saheeh-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in  government offices.

Referring to the historic and sincere decisions taken by the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in last five months, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized that with the aim of improving the financial condition of the state and generating more revenue, the Punjab government has been moving in right direction. He described the growth rate of 24.15 percent in GST collection and 41.23 percent in excise collection during the first four months of the financial year 2022-23 as a good sign.

              Mentioning public interest decisions like one pension for MLA and reduction in the number of PPSC members, the Finance Minister Cheema said that now government money would be saved and spent only on public interest works. He termed the decision to establish Aam Aadmi Clinic as a milestone in the direction to provide quality health facilities to the common people of the state.

              The Finance Minister said that the Mann Government has given priority to medical education and technical education and the budget has been increased for both sectors by 57 and 48 percent respectively so that the youth of the state can compete at global level. He said that the government has started the recruitment process for 26,454 vacant posts in various departments and boards, and 36000 contract workers would also be inducted as permanent employees soon.

Reiterating the commitment of the Punjab government to bail out the Punjabi University out of  financial crisis, Cheema said that a grant of Rs 200 crore has been set aside for the university for financial year 2022-23. Referring to other important projects for Patiala, he said that Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor Project was being established on 1104 acres of land at Rajpura at a cost of Rs285 crores, which would provide enormous aeployment and business opportunities for the youth of this area.

The Finance Minister said that the state is heading forward in all sectors including agriculture, industry, education, health, law and order, war against drugs, civic services, infrastructure development both at urban and rural, freeing illegal possessions from panchayat lands and creating investment friendly environment.

              Stating sincere efforts to save environment and natural resources as the need of the hour, Cheema urged every citizen of the state to put their contribution in this regard. He appealed the people of the state especially farmers to come forward to save ground water and environment.

              On this occasion, the Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema honoured Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Harjinder Kaur’s father Sahib Singh, Commonwealth Championship medalist players Naman Kapil and Vishwajit Singh, Parade Commander D.S.P.  Daljit Singh Virk, Khelo India players and the personalities with commendable work in various fields including the officers and employees. He also distributed tricycles and sewing machines to the needy.

              The Finance Minister announced a holiday on Tuesday, August 16 for the educational institutions participated in the district level Independence Day celebrations.

The occasion witnessed a grand parade by ITBP, District Police, Home Guards, NCC Girls, Army and Air Wing, Red Cross, Girls Guide along with the brass and pipe band troupes of the district Police and ITBP.  The tableaus showcased the development activities of various departments, motorcyclists performed stunts, students of PPS Nabha performed horse riding and tent pegging. Students from various schools presented cultural programs like Gidha and Bhangra while the girls from the Government college sang National Anthem.

MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Dr Balbir Singh and Gurlal Ghanour, Divisional Commissioner Arun Sekhri, IG Mukhwinder Singh Chhina, District and Sessions Judge Tarsem Mangla, Punjabi University VC.  Prof. Arvind, VC of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Sports University.  (Lt. Gen) J.S.  Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney and S.S.P.  Deepak Pareek, Aam Aadmi Party’s urban president Tejinder Mehta, rural president Megh Chand Shermajra, Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Inderjit Singh Sandhu, joint in-charge Preeti Malhotra, SC cell  State President Amrik Singh Bangar, Women Wing District Virpal Kaur Chahal, a large number of Aam Aadmi Party volunteers and leaders, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aditya Upal, ADCs Gautam Jain, Gurpreet Singh Thind and Isha Singhal, SDM Dr  Ismat Vijay Singh and Assistant Commissioner Kiran Sharma and students, teachers, officials and employees of various departments were also present on the occasion.