As a "mark of respect" to the people of border areas of Punjab, who suffered most during division of the country and later in wars, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to provide uninterrupted power supply to all the border districts.
Giving example of Amritsar, Ferozepur and Fazilka, Badal said that several border cities like them were hub of industrial activities before the partition, but now they are reduced to petty trading centres.
"Division of the country and wars with Pakistan in the post independence era had given a fatal blow to the development and prosperity of the border towns of Punjab.
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"Cities like Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kalanaur and others which once flourished as the leading industrial and trading hubs of the undivided Punjab have now been relegated to petty trading centres with the passage of time," the Chief Minister said.
He was addressing a gathering during second day of his 'Sangat Darshan programme' here.
The Chief Minister said that he has already given the necessary directions to the authorities to ensure 24x7 power supply in the border areas of the state.
Badal described the people of the border areas as "true patriots", saying they have braved every odd for preserving the unity and integrity of the country and the areas will be covered under the urban pattern domestic power supply scheme of the state government as a mark of respect to them.
"Apart from this, unfortunately, people of these border areas had always been living under the shadow of constant fear, uncertainty and turmoil. Though they valiantly confronted such situations arising out of any provocation or the slightest tension from across the border," he said.
The Chief Minister said that the state government recognises the "immense contribution" of these brave hearts in upholding the unity and integrity of the country due to which special efforts were on to herald a new era of development in these areas of Punjab.
He also said that due attention was being paid in giving quality health care and educational facilities to the residents of these areas.
