MLA: Punjabis played a key role in freedom movement

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, August 16

After hoisting the National Flag at the Police Lines ground, Industries and Commerce Minister, Punjab, Sunder Sham Arora said Punjabis played a pivotal role in giving a momentum to the freedom struggle movement, thus paving the way for India’s freedom from the British imperialism, as more than 80 per cent freedom fighters were from Punjab.

Arora said the entire nation would be indebted to the great martyrs, brave freedom fighters and valiant soldiers, who made supreme sacrifices to defend country’s unity and integrity. To provide homes to freedom fighters, the state government had increased the existing 2 per cent fixed reservation for freedom fighters to 3 per cent in auction by PUDA and GMADA schemes.

The state government has also taken care of the next of kin of the families of the martyrs, who lost their lives while safeguarding the country’s integrity and sovereignty in line with their duty. He said the state had provided more than 50 government jobs to the next of kin along with the financial help under the scheme. The minister also announced that the Government Senior Secondary School, Jiyan, in Chabbewal had been made a smart school. Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait and SSP Navjot Singh Mahal presented a memento to the minister. Those present were ADC (G) Amit Kumar Panchaal, ADC (D) Harbir Singh, SDM Amit Mahajan and Commissioner MC Balbir Raj Singh and GA Kirpal Veer Singh among others.