Patiala, April 11
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Saturday attended a health insurance card camp organised at the Rajindra Gymkhana Maharani Club in Patiala, where he shared key details about the state government’s insurance scheme and addressed several pressing issues.
Interacting with the public, the minister informed people about the scheme offering insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh and encouraged them to get their cards made. He also spoke about the challenges faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions and alleged that the Centre has been discriminating against Punjab.
He said that while farmers in Rajasthan have received compensation for crop losses, similar relief has not been extended to farmers in Punjab. He asserted that the state government stands firmly with farmers and is in continuous dialogue with the Centre to safeguard their interests.
Speaking on the crackdown against gangsters and drug traffickers, Singh said that the rule of law has been restored in Punjab and warned that no criminal will be spared.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party media advisor Baltej Pannu also launched a sharp attack on opposition parties. He said that those attempting to disturb law and order would face strict action. He added that for the first time, the government has sought public cooperation in tackling crime and has announced significant rewards to tighten action against offenders.
Responding to recent remarks by Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Pannu said that earlier photographs of gangsters used to be displayed in police stations. He questioned senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa over the origins of the term gangster and alleged that previous governments had provided shelter to criminals. He also raised questions about the expenditure incurred in protecting gangsters such as Mukhtiar Ansari.
The statements were made during a joint press conference addressed by Baltej Pannu and Health Minister Balbir Singh.
