I-Day bounty for Ludhiana

Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, August 16

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced several development projects worth Rs3,600 crore for Ludhiana district during the Independence Day celebrations after unfurling the National Flag during a state-level function at Guru Nanak Stadium here on Wednesday.

While Rs350 crore was earmarked for facilitating the development of Hero Cycles Park as part of Hi-Tech Cycle Valley, Rs250 crore was set aside for the Oswal Integrated Business Park.

Exhibition centre will be set for Rs450 crore. He announced funds for food park at Laddowal. Capt Amarinder announced Rs366 crore for the cash-strapped Ludhiana MC. For the municipalities of Khanna, Raikot, Jagraon, Machhiwara, Sahnewal, Doraha and Mullanpur, he announced Rs52 crore, Rs32 crore, Rs23 crore, Rs3 crore, Rs2.5 crore and Rs1.5 crore, respectively.

The historical villages of Jagraon (birth place of Lala Lajpat Rai), Sarabha (Kartar Singh Sarabha), Thapar Colony (Shaheed Sukhdev) and Bhaini Sahib (Satguru Ram Tirath Ji) would be allocated Rs1 crore each.

Meanwhile, Rs2 crore each was announced for each MLA of Ludhiana for development of their constituencies.

Ten new ‘mandi townships’

The CM announced 10 mandi townships for better management of foodgrains. He said Rs800 crore had been allocated for it. An additional Rs750 crore has been allocated for mandi development programme.

Buddy programme

To curb the drug menace, the CM launched “Tu Mera Buddy” programme for all schools from Classes VI to XII, colleges and universities. Under the programme, peer groups comprising five students would be made and teachers would be involved as senior buddy to spread awareness on ill-effects of drugs. Fourteen Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) were announced in addition to 118 such clinics set up so far.

Job creation and industry

Capt Amarinder said 3 lakh jobs would be created this financial year, claiming that 2 lakh jobs had been provided to the youth under the “Ghar Ghar Rozgar” programme.

Freedom fighters’ kin honoured

Moga: Independence Day was celebrated at the district headquarters in Moga amid tight security arrangements in the wake of protest staged by Sikh hardliners on Wednesday. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu unfurled the National Flag. He honoured families of six freedom fighters, besides other eminent personalities of the district. In all, 16 tricycles were distributed among the disabled, while 30 women were given sewing machines. AAP legislator Manjit Singh Bilaspur from Nihalsinghwala was not invited .

Singla meets jawans

Ferozepur: Lauding the efforts of jawans in preserving the sanctity of the international border, PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla said BSF jawans were superior in aggression and determination than their Pakistani counterparts. On the Independence Day, he visited the India-Pak joint check post at Hussainiwala and interacted with BSF officials and jawans.

17 receive state award

Ludhiana: Capt Amarinder on Wednesday conferred state award on 17 persons for their social contribution and excelling in their fields. Sahil Chopra of Patiala was awarded for winning eight medals at international level and 13 medals at national level in swimming.

Writes to FB, Google Ceos on drugs 

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has sought technical support from Facebook and Google to combat the drug menace in the state. In his letters to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Sundar Pichai, he said, “The Internet is ripe with content about finding newer ways of drug addiction.” He sought their help in limiting the spread of such material. PTI