CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today inaugurated Rs. 2.20 Crore a low cost housing project “Guru Nanak Dev Nagar” developed in collaboration with Ambuja Cement Foundation  over an area of seven acres  equipped  with all  civic amenities for the houseless scheduled caste and backward class families, first of its kind in the country at village Gaggar in Muktsar district.

Addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion, Badal appreciated the efforts of the Chairman Ambuja Cement Foundation Suresh Neotia for this philanthropic venture in collaboration with the State government. He said after the successful completion of this prestigious housing project for the lower strata of society several other companies of national repute have evinced keen interest to join hands with the state government for such housing projects to accommodate more such deserving beneficiaries. He said “I am overwhelmed today on the completion of this project since it was one of the most prestigious projects close to my heart.”

The Chief Minister urged the allottees to ensure maintenance of these houses and cleanliness as it was next to Godliness. He asked each family to nurture at least two plants grown in the colony to ensure clean and green environment.

Dwelling on the low returns from agriculture, Badal admitted that farming was no more a profitable vocation and urged the farmers, especially small and marginal to cut down their wasteful expenditure on agricultural inputs such as machinery and equipment including tractors.  He however advised them to avail of the services rendered by the agro-centers being run by the cooperative societies which were providing these costly equipment on nominal rent. He called upon the farmers to adopt dairy farming as an allied profession to improve their economic lot as the government was providing subsidy to the tune of Rs.1.50 lac for the construction of cattle shed. 

Underlining the significance of education in the society to bring marked improvement in the quality of life, Mr.Badal asked the people especially residing in rural areas to motivate their children to study because it was the only channel through which they could prosper in the society. Without mincing any words, Badal said “Gone are the days when candidates were selected for jobs on sifarish now it is an era of competition and merit on the basis of qualification was the sole criteria for seeking employment”. He said the state government had taken several initiatives in the filed of education by opening Adarsh Schools to enable the poor and intelligent students to get education free of cost. Likewise a Central University at village Ghuda in Bathinda district has already started its academic session where the students of this region could further pursue opportunities in higher education.

Speaking on the occasion the Chairman of the Ambuja Cement Foundation Suresh Neotia expressed his gratitude to the chief minister for the whole hearted support and cooperation for the completion of this housing project. He assured Badal that the foundation was ready to take up such more projects for the socio-economic uplift of down-trodden in future. He also thanked the various agencies of state government including Mandi Board, Forest Department, Water Supply and Sanitation that had rendered full support in accomplishing this task.

Later the Chief Minister along with Neotia handed over the possession letters and keys of 129 houses to the eligible beneficiaries.