SAS Nagar, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Public Works and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday said the Bhagwant Singh Mann government was committed to building a prosperous, progressive and ‘Rangla Punjab’ in line with the aspirations of the freedom fighters.
Addressing the district-level Independence Day function at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh Government College in Phase 6, SAS Nagar, ETO unfurled the National Flag and took the salute from the parade. Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal and SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans were also present.
Paying homage to the martyrs of the freedom struggle, ETO said Punjabis had made unparalleled sacrifices for India’s freedom and that it was the collective responsibility of the people to build a society reflecting the ideals for which the martyrs fought.
The Minister said the state government had provided more than 69,000 government jobs strictly on merit since April 2022. He added that employment opportunities were also being created through job fairs, skill-development programmes and self-employment initiatives.
He said the government was working for the welfare of serving and martyred soldiers and their families, including enhanced ex-gratia assistance for the next of kin of martyred soldiers. Several measures had also been taken for freedom fighters and their families, he added.
Highlighting initiatives in health, education, women empowerment, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, sports and public welfare, ETO cited the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Aam Aadmi Clinics, Punjab Sikhiya Kranti, Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dhiyan Satikar Yojna, youth employment programmes, crop diversification and canal irrigation.
He said the government was also undertaking efforts to preserve Punjab’s religious and cultural heritage, including year-long programmes marking the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
On the anti-drug and anti-gangster drive, ETO said stringent action was being taken under the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ and ‘Gangsters Te Vaar’ campaigns. He also highlighted the role of the Sadak Surakhya Force in assisting accident victims and saving lives.
The parade, led by DSP Ishan Singla, featured police contingents, NCC cadets and students from Government College Mohali and various schools. Students presented patriotic cultural programmes, while government departments showcased tableaux of their schemes and achievements. The Mawan-Dhiyan Satikar Yojna tableau won first place, followed by the Police Department and Forest Department tableaux.
ETO also paid floral tribute at the memorial of Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh, Shaurya Chakra, before the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Families of martyred soldiers were honoured, including those of Honorary Captain Harminder Singh, Shaurya Chakra, of Badala; Subedar Surinder Singh of Naglian; Havildar Sarabjit Singh of Baltana; Havildar Kashmiri Lal of Barhmajra; and Lance Naik Gagandeep Singh of Lalru.
The district administration also felicitated the district’s only surviving freedom fighter, S. Gurdeep Singh, at his residence as health reasons prevented him from attending the function. The District Red Cross Society distributed 10 sewing machines to women in need, while the district administration announced a holiday in schools across the district on Monday.
Outstanding achievers from various fields were felicitated during the event, and the district administration presented a memento to the Chief Guest.
Among those present were ETO’s mother Surinder Kaur and wife Suhinder Kaur; Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Simrandeep Singh; Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana; Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Megha Dhaliwal; Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sundeep Singh Garha; Additional Deputy Commissioners Sonam Chaudhary, Geetika Singh and Anmol Singh Dhaliwal; SP City Dilpreet Singh; SP Headquarters Mohit Aggarwal; Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board Chairman Sunny Singh Ahluwalia and Vice Chairman Subhash Sharma; Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Singh Goldy; District Planning Committee Chairperson Prabhjot Kaur; District Traders Commission Chairman Ranjit Pal Singh; and senior officials, employees, students and other dignitaries.
FOLLOW NOW
