Issru (Ludhiana); Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today dared the Congress led UPA government at the centre to desist from meddling in the social, political, economic and religious affairs of the state.
Addressing an impressive gathering during the state level function to mark the observance of martyrdom day of great revolutionary Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, who laid down his life during the liberation of Goa from Portuguese regime here today at his native village, the Chief Minister said that we the Punjabis inherited the spirit of sacrifice from the great Sikh Gurus especially Sri Guru Arjun Dev and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji who made supreme sacrifice against the tyranny unleashed by the Mughals, for the sake of humanity and righteousness (Dharma). Likewise he said that the tenth master of Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji epitomized the concept of self sacrifice by sacrificing his entire family for the mankind. Mr. Badal said that this legacy of self sacrifice perpetuated from one generation to other and was one of the major factors reflective of Punjab’s enormous contribution in the national freedom struggle.
The Chief Minister said that it was on record that Punjabis despite having two percent of country’s total population had made huge sacrifices in terms of life imprisonment, capital punishment and even exile in captivity (Kalepaani). He said that several watershed movements associated with the Indian freedom struggle were spearheaded from Punjab by the valiant patriots and freedom fighters.
Silencing the state Congress leadership for making unwarranted hype over the central grants for state government projects and schemes, the Chief Minister said that the Government of India (GoI) was not doling out anything special or extraordinary rather it was our right from the huge amount collected by it on account of Income Tax and Central Excise.
The Chief Minister said that our government had made rapid strides in the field of education, healthcare and infra structure as we are committed to improve the quality of life of the people residing in urban and rural areas. Mr. Badal also announced to double the number of beneficiaries of Atta- Dal scheme from existing 16 lakh to 32 lakh.
Earlier the Chief Minister paid floral tributes the statue of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru in the village. He also honored widow of Shaheed Issru, Mrs. Charanjeet Kaur on the occasion.
Paying tributes to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, the Revenue, Information and Public Relation Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that the Congress leadership has been fully exposed before the people for its hypocrisy and now they should be ready to face the music in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls as the people had already made up their mind to throw them out of power.
Earlier the former MLA Mr. Ranjit Singh Talwandi welcomed the Chief Minister and highlighted the problems of the region. He demanded for the upgradation of infra structure in Industrial Focal point and Asia’s largest Grain Market at Khanna.