Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 16

State Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal unfurled Tricolour at a district-level function on Independence Day here on Wednesday. 

Contingents of Punjab Police, Home Guard jawans, NCC cadets, Scout and Guides and school students participated in the march past. Parade Commander ACP (Traffic) Prabjot Singh Virk led the march past.

Students from various schools also presented a colourful cultural show as they danced to the tunes of patriotic songs. Gidda and bangra performances were a special attraction for the audience. 

Speaking on the occasion, Manpreet said on this Independence Day, people should make a resolution that they would fight corruption, poverty and drug abuse with the same zeal with which freedom fighters had fought for Independence. 

He said the government was committed to revive the industry and curb drug menace. 

“If the government can successfully wipe out terrorism from the state in the past, we will also be successful in curbing the drug menace,” he said, adding that efforts have started bearing fruits. 

Manpreet Badal, along with DC Kamaldeep Singh Sangha and Commissioner of Police SS Srivasthva, also honoured various persons for their contributions to society. 

On this occasion, the Finance Minister also distributed tricycles among the disabled and gave sewing machines to poor women. 

He also gave away allotment letters of homes to the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. On the occasion, the Finance Minister also gave away appointment letters to 50 unemployed youths under ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ scheme. 

Local MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MLAs Sunil Dutti, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Raj Kumar Verka, Tarsem Singh, Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu, District and Sessions Judge Karamjit Singh Kang and others were present on the occasion.