LUDHIANA, January 29 (C.N.I.): Punjab Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal on Monday called upon the industrial houses to spend in Education, Heath and other sectors under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs which would help in the development of the state and uplift the social and economic condition of the people. Badal was here to inaugurate a new building at Government Primary School in Giaspura locality of the city. The new building has been constructed by renowned Vardhman Textiles Limited. Addressing an impressive gathering during the inaugural function, Mr. Badal said that no step has been taken by the previous government to uplift the education standard in the state during last decade. Appreciating Vardhman Textiles Limited for constructing the building under its Corporate Social Responsibility program, Finance Minister appealed the other industrial houses to come forward and spend in Education, Heath and other sectors for contributing in the development of the state. He said that Punjabis are known for their hard work and dedication towards the state and Vardhman Textiles Limited has truly proved this by constructing the school building. He revealed that a meeting of Finance Ministers of all North Zone States is going to be held in the first week of February and this time, Punjab is heading the meeting in which various issues like regarding variations in rates of petroleum products like Diesel, Petrol would be discussed. On being asked by media persons, he ruled out that state government is going to install any meter on the agriculture tubewells, and clarified that government would launch a pilot project to transfer the cash subsidy into the accounts of farmers directly. He also claimed the state government is committed to maintain law and order in the state. He also appealed to the rich farmers to give up the power subsidy to contribute to the state’s efforts to save water depletion. Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Ravneet Singh Bittu also praised Vardhman Textiles Limited and said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the government is taking every step for the development of the state. Vardhman Textiles Limited’s Chairman Mr. SP Oswal said that the group would continue to perform such activities in the education sector in future too. He informed that the group has spent Rs 1.82 crore on the construction of building consisting 14 rooms, two toilets, and facility of clean drinking water and benches in the classes. On this occasion, MLAs Mr. Surinder Dabar, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Mr. Sanjay Talwar, Mr. Rakesh Panday, Former Cabinet Minister Mr. Malkeet Singh Dakha, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pradeep Kumar Agrawal, Police Commissioner Mr. RN Dhoke, former MLA Jasbir Singh Khangura, Former MLA Mohd. Sadiq, Vardhman Textiles Limited’s Director Mr. AK Kundra, PPCC General Secretary Mr. Amarjeet Singh Tikka, PPCC Spokesperson Mr. Raman Subramaniam, District Congress Presidents Mr. Gurpreet Singh Gogi, Mr. Gudev Singh Lapra and Senior Congress leader Mr. KK Bawa.
