Punjab Finance, Planning, Programme Implementation, and Taxation and Excise Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema unfurled the National Flag during the district-level function organized to commemorate the 76th Republic Day of India at Police Line Stadium Sangrur, inspected the parade and took the salute from various contingents.
Addressing the gathering, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema extended heartfelt congratulations to all citizens on this significant occasion. He reminded everyone that the implementation of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, marked the establishment of the Republic of India, and we take pride in being the largest democracy in the world.
He also paid homage to Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema saluted the brave heroes of the armed forces, acknowledging their crucial role in protecting the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Sharing insights into various pro-people initiatives undertaken by the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab government is deeply committed to the welfare of army personnel, families of martyrs, and ex-servicemen.
The state government has increased the ex-gratia amount for the kin of martyred soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore and provides financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the families of police personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the state and country.
He highlighted that the Punjab government has increased the pension of freedom fighters and their heirs from Rs 9400 to Rs 11 thousand and there is 1% reservation in direct recruitment for the heirs of freedom fighters. Finance Minister Cheema proudly announced that the state has surpassed Rs 30,000 crore in revenue generation from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and excise for the first time in the first nine months of a financial year, with a total revenue of over Rs 31,156 crore generated by December.
He said the Punjab government launched the "Bill Liyao Inam Pao" scheme to encourage people to obtain purchase bills, under which 3850 winners have received prizes totaling Rs 2 crore 27 lakh 40 thousand for uploading their purchase bills on the 'Mera Bill' app by January 2025. The scheme, initiated in September 2023, has successfully held 16 draws so far. Minister Cheema appealed to the public to obtain bills for purchased goods to avoid fraud and contribute to the state's development.
Finance Minister Cheema reiterated the Punjab government's dedication to strengthening the state's economy, generating employment, providing better health, education, and sports facilities, offering free electricity to alleviate inflation, and implementing administrative reforms. He said that approximately 50,000 government jobs have been provided in the last 34 months, and this trend will continue.
He also mentioned significant initiatives in Sangrur district, including the C-PYTE center in village Kheri, 35 Aam Aadmi clinics in villages and 11 in urban areas, the upgradation of Government Civil Hospital Sangrur, the construction of an additional floor at the Nursing College, a new block of Sub-Divisional Hospital, and Maternal and Child Care Building in Dhuri, a community health center in Kauhrian, and the establishment of eight Schools of Eminence with transport facilities.
The minister proudly shared that the Punjab Government has purchased the private thermal plant in Goindwal Sahib for Rs 1080 crore, making it the first state government to acquire a private thermal plant. He also highlighted the construction of Ambedkar Bhawan, a community center in Dirba, at a cost of Rs 2.25 crore for organizing social events without hefty charges.
The event featured tableaux depicting important projects of the Punjab Government, including the Health Department's Non-Communicable Disease Control Program, CM Yogshala, Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan Season 3, a campaign to stop stubble burning, PSPCL, School of Eminence, MGNREGA Scheme, and SSF. Minister Cheema honoured the family members of freedom fighters during the event.
Students from various schools performed Bengali folk dance, traditional Punjabi folk dances Giddha and Bhangra, and patriotic cultural programs, which were well-received by the audience. Sewing machines were distributed to the needy, and tricycles were given to the disabled. The chief guest Harpal Singh Cheema honoured various personalities from Sangrur district for commendable achievements in various fields.
Impressed by the students' performances, Minister Cheema announced a holiday on January 27 for participating schools. Minister Cheema also awarded the first place tableau to Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), second place to PSPCL, and third place to School of Eminence and Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan.
The parade commander DSP Major Gurpreet Singh and other parade contingent in-charges were also honored. The district administration, represented by Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi and SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal, honoured Finance Minister Cheema and MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj with mementos.Earlier, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, along with MLA Sangrur Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, and SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal, paid tribute to martyrs at the Police Memorial in Police Lines.
The event saw the presence of District and Sessions Judge Munish Singal, judicial officers, Punjab Small Scale Industries Corporation Chairman Dalbir Singh Dhillon, Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Chairman Jasvir Singh Kudni, Gau Sewa Commission Chairman Ashok Singla, Improvement Trust Chairman Pritam Singh Peetu, Market Committee Sangrur Chairman Avtar Singh Elwal, Market Committee Dhuri Chairman Rajwant Singh Ghulli, OSD of Cabinet Minister Tapinder Singh Sohi, ADC (Development) Sukhchain Singh Papra, CM Field Officer Dr. Karamjit Singh, SDM Sangrur Charanjot Singh Walia, Assistant Commissioner Under Training Dr. Aditya, and Assistant Commissioner Upinderjit Kaur Brar, along with other administrative and police officers, department heads, school students, teachers, and city residents.