Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday celebrated his birthday at his native village by participating in a massive Blood Donation camp in which several youth donated their blood.
Interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister described blood donation as the biggest service that an individual can render to the society as it can help in saving many precious lives. He said that the youth of the state had always excelled in every field and there was no reason that the youth of the state should lag behind in this field, which was a true service of humanity. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed happiness over the fact that today a large number of youngsters have come forward in large numbers to donate blood.
The Chief Minister said that every youth must realize that every blood donor is a hero due to which they should regularly donate blood after regular intervals. He also asked them to motivate their peers to become regular voluntary blood donors to ensure sufficient stocks of blood needed for routine and emergency treatment. Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out that every drop of blood donated by a person can save an important life of an individual due to which it is very important.
Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said that the ensuing session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha is fully valid and legal as it has been called on October 20th-21st after consulting the legal luminaries and in consonance with the constitution of India. He said that several pro-people bills will be tabled during this two days session which is very important for the state adding that the session is completely valid. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Vidhan Sabha is a democratically elected body which is answerable only to the people of the state and not as per whims and fancies of any individual.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government has already taken several initiatives to check the menace of paddy straw burning in the state. He said that on one hand several progressive farmers have shown the way for in-situ management of paddy straw and on the other hand state government has notified replacement of 20% of coal with paddy straw briquettes as fuel in approximately 2,500 brick kilns operating in Punjab. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as compared to last year 23,000 more paddy straw management machines have been given to the farmers adding that officers have been directed to ensure strict monitoring to check the menace of straw burning for next few days.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government is committed to ensure a smooth and hassle process of procurement of the paddy crop in the mandis along with ensuring its prompt lifting in their respective districts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the harvest of farmers was lifted from the grain markets in a smooth, timely and hassle free manner. He reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to ensure that farmers do not face any sort of problem while selling their produce.
Assailing the leaders of opposition for running away from the scheduled debate on November 1 out of the fear of being exposed for their misdeeds, the Chief Minister said that these leaders have deceived Punjab on various issues for which they are answerable to the people of state. He said that these leaders looted the masses and backstabbed the Punjabis on various issues adding that it is a fact the hands of these leaders were drenched with the blood of Punjab and Punjabis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to this reason only they are afraid to face the people and are finding one or another excuse to have a debate with him on November 1.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is launching a decisive war against drugs on Wednesday from Amritsar as per which thousands of youth from across the state will converge at Sri Harmandir Sahib and take pledge for wiping out drugs from the state. He said that the campaign against drugs has been started from the grass root level adding that this menace will be wiped out from the state with the proactive support and cooperation of the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on one hand the supply line of drugs is being snapped by putting the drug peddlers behind the bars and on the other hand focus is being laid on treatment and rehabilitation of the drug victims.
The Chief Minister further said that due to stupendous efforts of the state government an era of Health revolution has been embarked in Punjab. He said that the aim is to provide quality health services to the people of the state besides emerging Punjasb as hub of medical education by opening new medical colleges in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a massive revamp of the hospitals and healthcare centers across the state is also being done to facilitate the general masses.