Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini called upon the people of Punjab to join hands in making the state drug-free and rebuild it as a prosperous and glorious state like a skilled craftsman.
The Chief Minister was addressing the Shri Vishwakarma Pooja Mahotsav programme as the chief guest in Phagwara, Punjab, on Monday. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini paid obeisance at the feet of Bhagwan Shri Vishwakarma at the 116-year-old historic temple and extended greetings on Govardhan Puja and Bhagwan Vishwakarma Puja. He said that Lord Shri Krishna protected society by lifting Govardhan Parvat, while Bhagwan Vishwakarma provided society with a home by establishing Dwarka.
The Chief Minister said that when a poor artisan approaches a bank for a loan, his skill is often the only asset he can offer as a guarantee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, has made this very skill the guarantee. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are provided training along with a daily stipend of Rs. 500, toolkits worth up to Rs. 15,000 and collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 3 lakh at an interest rate of just 5 per cent.
The Chief Minister said that protecting youth from drug abuse is the responsibility of both the government and society. Referring to awareness programmes and events such as runs organised in Haryana to sensitise young people, he stressed that strict action must be taken against those involved in drug trafficking.
