Before handing in his resignation to the governor on Saturday, Captain Amarinder Singh had penned down a letter to Interim Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi. In the letter, the former chief minister had mentioned his anguish over the political events that took place in the poll-bound state in the last five months.
“Notwithstanding my personal anguish, I hope this will not cause any damage to the hard-earned peace and development in the State, and that the efforts I have been focusing during the last few years, would continue unabated, ensuring justice to one and all,” Amarinder Singh had written in his letter to Sonia, indicating his apprehension of instability in Punjab as a result of the political developments in the state unit of the Congress.
He said he was happy that the State remained fully peaceful, and there was complete communal harmony with no ill-will towards anyone during his government
“The people of Punjab are looking up to the Indian National Congress for its mature and effective public policies, which not only reflect upon good politics but also address the concerns of the common man that are specific to this border State,” wrote Captain Amarinder, while informing the Congress President about his decision to demit the office of the Chief Minister, Punjab, after completing nine-and-half years as such from 2002 to 2007 and 2017 to September 2021.
“This was extremely satisfying for me because not only I established the rule of law, and ensured transparent governance, but maintained ethical conduct even in the management of political affairs, winning 8 out of 13 seats in the Parliament Elections in 2019 and the PRI and ULB Elections decisively.”
Citing the challenges posed by the pandemic Covid-19, he said his government faced the same in an effective and well-coordinated manner, ensuring minimum loss of public lives.
“The State is today nearly free from the pandemic, and persistent efforts are continuing not only to improve health infrastructure but also to provide due care to the deserving people free of cost to prevent the much anticipated third wave,” he said, adding that Punjab was fully geared to meet the future challenges.
“It gives me great satisfaction that Punjab is the only State, which has decided to provide universal health insurance cover at its own cost in keeping with our manifesto commitment. Nearly 55 lakh families are now eligible for free cashless treatment in the State,” he said.
He pointed out that despite legal hurdles and refusal of CBI to return the cases, which were transferred to them by the SAD-BJP Government, his government had succeeded in filing 10 challans, while 24 persons had been charge-sheeted, 15 Police Personnel suspended, and 10 civilians arrested.
“The criminal proceedings in these cases are currently underway and I am sure that in due course justice will be done in due course,” he said.
Underlining his government’s commitment to the development and welfare of the poor and those belonging to Scheduled Castes and backward classes, he pointed out that debt relief of Rs.50,000 each has been given to 10,151 SC beneficiaries and 4702 BC beneficiaries.
“We had also decided to enact a special legislation to earmark dedicated funds for development and welfare of SC population in our State,” he noted, adding that 200 units of electricity were being given free of cost to all families belonging to SCs, BCs and BPL with a total coverage of about 22 lakh beneficiaries with an annual subsidy of about Rs. 2000 crore.”We also succeeded in investing Rs.8,817 crore in building major roads and bridges,” he added.
“We have also started 8 new universities in private and public sector, established 19 new Government Colleges, and 25 new ITIs,” he further disclosed.
