Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 16
Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to restore the pristine glory of the state, the State Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa today said the Punjab government would provide all technical and logistics support to compete with peers at the international level.
He also announced that the state government would explore the possibility of setting up a skilled labour training institute in the city and all out efforts would be made to facilitate the sports industry, especially the cricket bat manufacturers, in resolving their issues of bringing wood from Jammu and Kashmir in the city.
Addressing the gathering at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium to celebrate the Independence Day after unfurling the Tricolour here on August 15, the minister announced to provide water supply connection to every household by December 31 this year.
He said the Punjab government was providing Rs 15,000 subsidy to construct toilets to the needy. Bajwa said that presently, nine districts of the state have been declared open-defecation free (ODF) and in the coming months, the remaining 13 districts would be declared open-defecation free.
The minister said that besides constituting a special task force to eradicate the drug menace, the government has also decided to construct a sports stadium at the block level to channelise the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive direction.
Earlier, conveying his heartfelt gratitude to armed forces and paramilitary forces, the minister recalled the contribution of great national leaders and freedom fighters who made tremendous sacrifices to liberate India from the yoke of colonial imperialism. He said Punjab made the maximum contribution in freedom struggle and later in the progress and prosperity of independent India.
Earlier, the chief guest took the salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Punjab Police, Home Guards,
continued on page 2