Ramgarh Sardaran (Ludhiana), January 25
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday handed over a cheque worth Rs 1 crore of financial assistance to the family of Agniveer Jawan Ajay Kumar who had attained martyrdom during the line of duty.
Sharing his condolences with the family of the martyr, the Chief Minister said that Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who hailed from village Ramgarh Sardaran near Khanna, attained martyrdom in a landmine blast. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a brave jawan laid his life while performing duty at Jammu and Kashmir. He said that it is an irreparable loss for the country in general and for the distressed family in particular.
The Chief Minister said that the financial assistance is being given to the family as a mark of respect for the supreme sacrifice made by this hero for the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the entire nation is indebted to these martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and its people. He said that this humble initiative of the state government is in recognition of the immense contribution of these sons of soil towards preserving the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.
Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to help the families of the soldiers who sacrifice their life at the altar of the motherland, the Chief Minister said that it is the bounden duty of the Punjab government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the financial assistance to the family of martyr is in consonance with the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of the soldiers and their families. Offering his condolences to the bereaved family members, he prayed to Almighty for granting eternal peace to the departed soul.
The Chief Minister said that the supreme sacrifice of the martyr will inspire their fellow soldiers and youngsters to perform their duties with far more devotion and commitment. He also announced that notification to name Government school in the village after the name of martyr has already been made adding that the state government will also construct a playground/ stadium in the name of martyr and an Aam Aadmi Clinic will also be set up in the village in the name of the brave heart. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that one member of the family of martyr will also be given a government job.
Strongly opposing the Agniveer scheme, the Chief Minister said that it was an insult to the contribution of the brave soldiers. He said that the scheme is a sheer exploitation of the youth of the country as they are sent back to home after a brief service at a young age with any sort of financial security. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a humiliating scheme which must be rolled back immediately in the larger interest of the country.
The Chief Minister said that he is here amongst the bereaved family because they respect the supreme sacrifice made by this son of the soil. However, he said that those in power at centre have no sympathies with the family due to which they never bother about the well being of the families of these martyrs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these people are insensitive as they have not lost their forefathers during freedom struggle but Punjabis have been on forefront both to attain freedom and now to preserve it due to which we value our martyrs.