Chandigarh, Nov 18 (IANS) With a view to ensure better healthcare, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday announced the 'Mukh Mantri Punjab Motia Mukt Abhiyan' which would commence from November 26 across the state.
The Chief Minister said in line with the scheme, eye camps would be organised throughout the state where the eye sight of the people would be thoroughly checked and those found suffering from the cataract problem would be operated upon after a period of 15 days.
"The transportation facility must be provided to the people in order to pick them up and drop at their homes. Besides, refreshments would also be ensured for the people undergoing operations," said the Chief Minister, adding free spectacles would also be provided to those operated upon.
The Chief Minister said adequate publicity in order to ensure that it success of the campaign as well as spreading awareness is the need of the hour.
"The Chief Secretary is to hold meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners in this regard," added Channi.
In another important announcement, the Chief Minister said the devotees who hold valid permits for travel to Sri Kartarpur Sahib would be allowed free travel in the state government buses on the day of their travel.
NCP national spokesperson and Maharashtra Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik slammed the "fraud" NCB operations,in which BJP leader Manish Bhanushali and "private detective" Kiran P. Gosavi were seen dragging out the accused. including superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and Arbaaz Merchant.
In a statement here, he said the worst has started coming true as the Taliban have started showing their true colours by way of complete intolerance towards the minorities leading to their intimidation and destruction of their religious places.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders met the family of deceased farmer Lovepreet at the Chaukhada farm in Palia at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday. They later met the family of journalist Raman Kashyap, who was also killed in violence.
9 persons, including four farmers, were killed in the violence that had erupted during a farmers' protest in Lakhimpur Kheri. A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli will hear the matter on Thursday. The matter has been listed as 'violence in Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) leading to loss of life'.
Canadian MP Tim S. Uppal said he was shocked to learn about the brazen attack on protesting farmers. Another Canadian MP Ruby Sahota said she was heartbroken to learn about the violence directed at protesting farmers.
The demand made by citizens primarily mirrored their right to clean air and the right to breathe, underlining the reality that Punjab is home to some of India's most polluted towns, including Mandi Gobindgarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Khanna, and Patiala.