AMRITSAR: Deputy Chief Minister O.P. Soni said that the Punjab government would provide adequate compensation to the farmers for the losses incurred due to unseasonal rains in Punjab yesterday and today.
Speaking to the press at a function in Amritsar today, Mr. Soni said that it had rained with hail in Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and several adjoining districts. Due to which the white sheet of hail fell on the crops of the farmers. The fields were flooded. In many places, standing crops have fallen.
He said that paddy as well as basmati crop in Majha was also damaged by the rains. He said that in view of the loss of crops a special girdavari would be held and compensation would be given as per the report received.
Addressing a function at village Mulhechak, Mr. Soni said that more than 85 percent works have been completed in this village and the remaining works would be completed by next month.
Mr. Soni presented a cheque of Rs. 10 lakh to the Panchayat of village Mulhechak for development works and also announced to give another Rs. 10 lakh.
Mr. Soni said that soon a government dispensary would be set up at village Mulhechak and its school would also be upgraded.
Mr. Soni said that all the promises made by our government during the elections have been fulfilled.
He said that the pension of the needy has been increased from Rs.750 to Rs.1500 and the amount of Shagun scheme has been increased from Rs.21, 000 to Rs.51, 000. He said that the government has waived the bills of all categories of people with load up to 2 KW and those whose connections were disconnected were also being charged by the government at its own cost. Mr. Soni said that the doors of his house are open 24 hours to help the people and if anyone has any problem he can meet them at any time. Mr. Soni was also felicitated by the village panchayat on the occasion.
Earlier, Soni visited the church at Rialto Square, where he prayed for the welfare of all and presented a check for Rs 2.50 lakh to the church. On the occasion Mr. Soni said that by opening schools in the border area they were providing quality education to the people at very low rates. He said that they were making significant contribution in the field of education.
He said that after becoming the Deputy Chief Minister, he had come to this church today to seek God's blessings. On the occasion, Bishop of the church Pradeem Kumar Samanta prayed to God for Soni to grant him long life so that he could serve the people more. Soni was also honored by the church on the occasion.
On this occasion Mr. Soni said that Congress is a secular party and our party fully respects all religions. He said that the country could progress only if people of all faiths came together and contributed to its development. Talking to reporters here, Soni said that all arrangements have been made by the health department to deal with dengue. He said that about 11, 000 dengue cases have been detected in the state. He said that due to unseasonal rains dengue cases were increasing this time. But just as we have won the battle of Corona, we will also defeat dengue.
On this occasion, SDM Mr. Deepak Bhatia, Councilor Mr. Vikas Soni, Member Minorities Commission Dr. Mr. Subhash Thoba, Mr. Daniel B. Das, Mr. Tony Pradhan, Mr. Paramjit Singh Chopra, Mr. Vicky Dutta, S.P. Apart from Hardeep Singh, a large number of people were present.
Caption: Deputy Chief Minister Mr. OP Soni presenting a check of Rs. 10 lakh to the Panchayat of village Mulhechak for development works. Also appearing are Councilors Mr. Vikas Soni and Mr. Paramjit Singh Chopra.