Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh inspects a march past on the Republic Day in Mohali on Sunday.
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 27
Asserting that the secular foundations of Constitution would continue to stand firm, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday said he would protect one and all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Rs 15L announcedfor schoolkids
- Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced Rs15 lakh as reward for students who participated in the 71st Republic Day function in Mohali
- He made the announcement after witnessing an “impressive” performance by students in the march past and cultural programme
- Around 1,500 students from various educational institutions took part in the Republic Day celebrations here
- Similar celebrations were organised by in other districts as well
He said the nation’s unity was inviolable, notwithstanding the discordant voices being raised in the current scenario.
Pointing out that the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly (on CAA) was there for all to see, he said the state would not allow the country’s secular fabric to be destroyed at any cost.
On the occasion, he unfurled the Tricolour and a took the salute at a parade.
For the first time this year, the Republic Day celebrations in the state witnessed a display by the Special Operations Group, constituted by the Chief Minister to combat terrorism, infiltration, hijacking and other sensitive threat situations.
Delhi. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui
He said the state had attracted an unprecedented investment of Rs57,735 crore in the last over two years. He said efforts to bring in new industrial units would continue, in order to tackle unemployment, which he termed as the biggest challenge faced by the state. He said under the “Ghar Ghar Rozgar te Karobaar Scheme”, 11 lakh jobs had been given to unemployed youth in the state.
Emphasising the need for quality education, the CM announced that 19 new IITs would be established in the state, along with new medical colleges in Mohali, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur.
He stressed the need to conserve water, the level of which had come down to less than 13 MAF as 73 per cent of it was being used for irrigation. He said he hoped that the Punjab Water Resources (Management & Regulation) Act would help address the problem of the depleting water table.
Fatehgarh Sahib: The state government will ensure 50-per cent reservation for women in the coming local bodies’ elections, said Minister for Local Bodies Brahm Mohindra at the district-level Republic Day function here on Sunday. Besides, an open university on the name of Guru Nanak will be set up in Patiala.
On the occasion, he laid foundation stones for two bridges to be constructed on the Sirhind choe at the cost of Rs2.2 crore and launched a water supply project for Sirhind at a cost of Rs8.83 crore.
Barnala: Sundar Sham Arora, Minister of Industry and Commerce, unfurled the National Flag at Baba Kala Maher Stadium here on Sunday. He said it was an occasion when one was reminded of freedom fighters’ dreams about the future of India, besides giving the opportunity to look into one’s overall performance.
Patiala: Education and PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla presided over the Republic Day function at Raja Bhalindra Singh Sports Complex here. He remembered martyrs on the occasion and paid tributes to them. About the distribution of mobile phones to youth, which was one of the key pre-poll promises of the Congress, he said, “Some technical glitches are to be addressed, which will take only a few days. That is why the scheme could not be launched on Republic Day.” He inspected the parade and the contingents of the police, Home Guards, Scouts and NCC presented salutation during the march past.