Rs 1,000 monthly aid promise for Punjab women to be fulfilled in next budget: CM reiterates
Hoshiarpur (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday reiterated that his government will fulfil its promise of giving Rs 1,000 to every woman, with provisions to be made in the forthcoming state budget.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating an eco-tourism project at the Saleran Dam here, Mann asserted that the AAP government is generating employment by developing Punjab's tourism destinations.
"In the Punjab budget, the promise of Rs 1,000 to every woman will be fulfilled," he said here.
Mann, while speaking at the state-level Maghi Mela gathering in Sri Muktsar Sahib on January 14, had assured that the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) poll promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to every woman in the state would be fulfilled soon.
The AAP government has drawn flak from rival parties, who have accused it of making lofty promises at the time of polls, but failing to deliver after coming to power.
Mann also expressed hope that the Union government would announce a special package for Punjab in the upcoming Union Budget, saying, "Punjab's contribution to the nation in every sector deserves recognition".
In his address at Saleran Dam, Mann said film shoots and destination weddings at places such as Amritsar, Patiala and Chimraud Lake have already led to increased employment opportunities. He said the Saleran Dam project will compete with the tourism destinations of Himachal Pradesh.
The AAP government has revived 52 rest houses that had fallen into disrepair and are now generating around Rs 1 crore in monthly rental revenue. He alleged that previous dispensations had sold government properties to their associates at throwaway prices, while the present regime had recovered those assets.
Speaking to reporters, Mann said, "Today we have inaugurated the Saleran Dam eco-tourism project to further strengthen tourism infrastructure in the state. The Chohal Dam project is already running successfully, and this new initiative will be another attraction for tourists".
The project has been conceived at a cost of Rs 2.80 crore and is expected to generate more than Rs 18 lakh in annual revenue, he said.
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"This project will attract tourists to the area, create job opportunities for local youth and significantly boost their income," he added.
Highlighting the facilities created under the project, the CM said, "A special playground spread over 16,000 square feet has been constructed for children, with a multi-play station and other recreational activities."
"Four eco huts have been constructed for tourists to stay, and a cafeteria with seating capacity for 80 people has also been built," he said. A large amphitheatre has been developed to offer scenic views of the dam, he said.
Lamenting the alleged neglect of these regions in the past, Mann said the previous governments failed to tap their tourism potential despite their natural beauty.
"Strenuous efforts are already underway to develop the entire region so that tourism in the state gets a major boost," he said.
Referring to steps taken by his government to revive the state's tourism infrastructure, Mann said, "The state government has revived 75 abandoned rest houses, which are now generating revenue of around Rs 1 crore".
On the economic and agricultural initiatives, Mann said, "The Punjab government has partnered with a Japanese company which will invest Rs 1,300 crore to boost horticulture in the state".
This would help save precious groundwater while promoting crop diversification, he said.
On law and order, the chief minister said it was ironic that those who once patronised gangsters were now questioning the situation.
He cited state government's initiatives like 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' and 'Gangsteraan te Vaar' aimed at cracking down on drug smugglers and gangsters.
Mann also said anti-drone technology has been deployed along the International Border and has shown encouraging results in curbing the inflow of drugs and weapons.
"Our aim is to stop cross-border terrorism and narco-terrorism. Punjab is the first state in the country to adopt this technology," he said.
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Abhishek, Suryakumar blaze fifties as India hammer NZ to seal T20I series 3-0
Guwahati (PTI): Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking 12-ball fifty while skipper Suryakumar Yadav continued his sublime touch with another attacking half-century as India waltzed through the chase in just 10 overs to seal an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I, sealing the five-match series 3-0 here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 154, India turned the contest into a one-sided exhibition of power-hitting with Abhishek remaining unbeaten on a blistering 68 off 20 balls (7x4, 5x6) and Suryakumar smashing an equally fluent 57 not out off 26 deliveries (6x4, 3x6).
The duo stitched together an unbroken 102-run stand for the third wicket in just 40 balls to finish the game with 60 deliveries to spare.
Earlier, wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi marked his return with a superb spell alongside the seasoned duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya as India strangled New Zealand with disciplined bowling to restrict them to an under-par 153/9.
Abhishek’s assault was particularly stunning as the left-hander raced to a 12-ball fifty -- the second fastest by an Indian in T20Is, just two balls slower than his mentor Yuvraj Singh -- as he dismantled the New Zealand attack with fearless intent.
India, however, had an early hiccup as Sanju Samson’s struggles at the top continued as he was dismissed for a golden duck. Matt Henry’s first delivery brushing the thigh pad before crashing into the off-stump.
Samson's scores in the series now read 10, 6 and 0, putting further pressure on his spot with Ishan Kishan making a strong case with his explosive batting.
If that setback worried the hosts, Abhishek and Ishan quickly erased them.
Ishan, fresh from his match-winning 76 in Raipur, launched Henry for two sixes and a four in a single over, showcasing his imperious pull and lofted drives.
Abhishek, who had fallen for a duck in the previous game, soon joined the carnage, dancing down the track to hammer Jacob Duffy and collecting 16 runs in an over.
India’s powerplay score swelled to 94/2 -- their second-best ever, just one short of the 95 they had posted against England -- effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
Ishan fell for a brisk 28 off 13 balls. But there was no respite for New Zealand. Suryakumar slipped seamlessly into top gear, piercing gaps at will and improvising with his trademark scoops and flicks as Abhishek continued to clear the ropes with ease.
The pair toyed with the field and bowlers alike, wrapping up the chase in ruthless fashion to underline India’s dominance and secure an unassailable series lead.
Playing for India after nearly a year, Bishnoi, who came in for rested Varun Chakravarthy, grabbed the opportunity with both hands, returning impressive figures of 2 for 18 while maintaining relentless control through the middle overs.
India struck early inside the powerplay to put the visitors on the back foot reducing them to 36/3.
Hardik (2/23) set the tone in the opening over with a stunning backward-running catch to dismiss Devon Conway (1). He then struck in his next over as Rachin Ravindra (4) mistimed a short delivery and Bishnoi at deep square leg completed the formalities.
Bumrah, introduced as second change, made an immediate impact and was again the pick of the bowling grabbing three for 17.
Returning after being rested for the Raipur game, he knocked over Tim Seifert (12) with a full delivery that came in to uproot the off-stump.
Bishnoi then bowled with precision, denying the batters any momentum.
He prevented Glenn Phillips from reaching a deserved fifty, dismissing him for 48 with his figures reading 3-0-9-1 after operating in the fifth, eighth and 12th overs.
Mark Chapman offered resistance with a brisk 23-ball 32, hitting two fours and two sixes, and stitched a 52-run stand with Phillips to steady the innings.
However, Bishnoi broke the partnership with a sharp take by Sanju behind the stumps.
At the other end, Kuldeep Yadav had an off day.
After conceding just three runs in his first over, the left-arm wrist spinner was taken apart in his second, leaking 19 runs as Chapman smashed him for successive six and four before Phillips cleared long-on.
Kuldeep appeared to experiment too much with flight and length, allowing New Zealand batters brief momentum.
Despite that passage, India quickly regained control through tight spells from Bumrah, Hardik and Bishnoi, ensuring New Zealand could never break loose.
