Interacting with the people, Mr. Bhalla said the people of Rajiv Nagar Narwalballa and Karayani Talab have faced lot of hardships during rainy season due to the flash floods and the protection work on the nallah has been started to save these localities from any in future.
The Minister said the Government has provided relief to the flood affected under norms fixed by the authorities of the Relief department under State Disaster Response Fund. He said the central and state Governments have launched number of welfare schemes to upgrade the living standard of the poor. He appealed the people to avail the benefits of such schemes.
Mr. Bhalla said the Government has also provided financial assistance to houseless State subjects (landholders) under Basic Services to Urban Poor scheme under which Rs. 3.12 lakh has been provided for construction of Pacca Houses. For proper rehabilitation of slum dwellers, he said Government has approved Rs. 19 crore under BSUP for construction of Urban Poor Township at Sunjwan adding that work on it is nearing completion. He said after inauguration, the urban poor of city of temples would be accommodated there by providing two-room flats on nominal rates.
Mr. Bhalla said the Government was making all out efforts to provide all basic amenities to the people in every corner of the State which include safe drinking water, electricity, road connectivity, hospitals, schools besides better drainage and sewerage. He said the central Government is providing liberal funding to the State Government for making the Jammu and Kashmir and model state.
Later, the Minister visited Barian village in Samba district to attend a function organized by Parbandhak Committee Shri Guru Hargobind Singh Sahib in the memory of Gursikh, , Makhan Shah Lubana, who was a trader of Deccan and Masand of Gujrat area.
Minister for Industries and Commerce Mr. Surjit Singh Salathia, MLA Mr. Yash Paul Kundal, former Minister Mr. Manjit Singh besides District Development Commissioner, Mr. Mubarak Singh accompanied the Minister.
Addressing a large gathering, Mr. Bhalla said Guru Makhan Shah Lubana was trader of Gujrat and always fought for the upliftment of Lubana community.
Recalling the achievements of Guru Makhan Shah Lubana, the Minister said once a ship full of his goods was sailing in the sea adding there was a severe storm and the ship began to sink. All efforts to save it were futile till Makhan Shah prayed. “O Guru Nanak, save my sinking ship. I will offer gold mohras.†His prayer was granted and the ship shore safely.
Responding to the Lubana community demands, Mr. Bhalla asked the concerned authorities to prepare an estimate for construction of a multipurpose community hall in the area and submit the same for funding so that the construction work of the hall could be started after completing tendering formalities.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Salathia said the Government was making all out efforts to upgrade the living standard of the Lubana community. On the demand of community, he announced Rs. 10 lakh out of CDF for the construction of the community hall near the Shri Guru Hargobind Singh Sahib Gurudwara.
In his address, MLA Samba Mr. Kundal also announced Rs. 10 lakh out of CDF for construction of hall. He said with the construction of the hall, the Lubana community would arrange their religious as well as social functions there.