Fazilka : During the district-level Independence Day celebration today, Punjab’s Local Government and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr. Balkar Singh, hoisted the national flag and took the salute from the march past. Residents of the district enthusiastically participated in the event, which was marked by a strong sense of patriotism.
In his speech, Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the country, and he also honored the martyrs of the 1971 war. Fazilka MLA Mr. Narinder Pal Singh Sawna and Balluana MLA Mr. Amandeep Singh Goldi Musafir were present alongside him.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Senu Duggal and SSP S. Manjit Singh Dhesi welcomed the Cabinet Minister on this occasion. Cabinet Minister S. Balkar Singh highlighted various welfare schemes of the Punjab government in his speech.
He mentioned the government’s immediate relief of 105 crore rupees to address the flood situation and initiatives like giving more than 31,000 government jobs and regularizing more than 12,000 temporary employees. He noted that nearly 90 percent of consumers now have zero electricity bills due to the provision of 600 units of free electricity to each class.
Cabinet Minister S. Balkar Singh emphasized that the Punjab government has invested in constructing large water works costing 419 crore rupees in Ghatianwali Bodla village and 578 crore rupees in Patrewala village. These projects aim to provide clean canal drinking water to almost all villages in the Fazilka district.
He congratulated Fazilka’s farmers for adopting direct sowing of paddy and mentioned crop diversification efforts. He also acknowledged district administration projects like Mera Village Mera Jangal, Mission Abad 30 Shikho, and Vadho.
Regarding Urban Development, the Cabinet Minister explained that the Punjab government has introduced digital citizen services, offering smooth and hassle-free access to services such as water and sewERage management, property tax, trade licenses, and street vendor registration through the ULB web portal.
S. Balkar Singh mentioned projects worth 665 crore rupees in Amritsar and 1214 crore rupees in Ludhiana to provide clean canal water for drinking. Furthermore, 2263 crore rupees will spend to provide clean drinking water to 87 other cities in the state in the next five years, and 1154 crore rupees will spend for sewerage treatment plant facilities in 56 cities over the next three years.
He said that a new sewerage treatment plant has been built in Fazilka city costing 15 crore . He announced upcoming projects under the Amarut 2 scheme for upgrading water treatment plants in Fazilka and Jalalabad.
Cabinet Minister S. Balkar Singh announced plans to start cancer hospital soon , a critical care unit, and improved infrastructure for rural healthcare. Cultural programs, distribution of tricycles and sewing machines, and honoring individuals contributing positively in various fields marked the occasion.
Plants were distributed, and the Cabinet Minister pledged to promote responsible environmental practices. Special DGP (PSPCL) Mr. Jatinder Zain, District and Sessions Judge Madam Jatinder Kaur, and officials from various departments attended the event.
Before the celebration, Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh visited the Asafwala War Memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 war.