Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday gave a clarion call to the people of Punjab for resolving to restore the pristine glory of the state by making it a frontrunner one in the country thereby carving out a vibrant and prosperous ‘Rangla Punjab’.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling Tri-colour, during the state level function to mark Independence Day in Faridkot, the chief minister also paid reverence to the great Sufi saint Baba Farid.
Listing various initiatives taken by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, he said that there are 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics currently running, where 70,000 people get treated daily adding that 200 more clinics will be opened soon.
Alleging that previous governments patronised drug mafias, causing widespread addiction, Mann held that his government has launched a crackdown against drugs in the form of Yudh Nasheyan Virudh (war against drugs) and the drug supply network has almost been dismantled, bulldozers have razed their properties of drug dealers and leaders involved in drug trade have been sent to jail.
He said that an anti-drone system has been deployed along the 553-km Punjab-Pakistan border adding that Punjab has become the first state to take this initiative.
The chief minister said that Punjab was leading the country in casualties due to road accidents after which Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF - road safety force) was formed in the state. He said that the SSF has significantly reduced road accidents by 48% as per study of Government of India adding that they have provided 144 modern vehicles for the same.
He also said Punjab was the first state to provide Rs 1 crore in aid to the family of any soldier of the state who is martyred and the benefit is also extended to the families of Punjab police personnel, who will receive a total of Rs 2 crore rupees from the government and their bank.
