The Governor said that with the restoration of confidence of investors, Punjab was expected to attract over Rs 2,000 crore for strengthening infrastructure in the state over the course of the year. He added that the state was drawing up a comprehensive plan to compensate farmers for the loss suffered due to the bad weather. Chhibber said that the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link had been sanctioned and would be completed shortly.

The Governor's speech was followed by a parade led by ASP Naunihal Singh comprising contingents of PAP, scouts, NCC and home guards. ROPAR: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal cautioned the people against various external and internal forces that were posing a serious threat to the unity and sovereignty of the country.

Addressing people at the jam-packed Nehru Stadium on the 50th Republic Day function here yesterday, the chief minister said that people have rejected such forces. He added that the government was ready to make any sacrifice for maintaining peace in Punjab.

Urging for greater autonomy for states, Badal said that decentralisation of power was essential at the grassroots level. He added that more power should be given to panchayats, municipal committees and zila parishads.

Giving an account of the achievements of his government, the chief minister said that in a short span of two years major projects like the international air port, science city, Renewable Energy Institute, Baba Farid Health Science University, railway link between Chandigarh-Ludhiana, Swaran Jyanti Shatabdi between Amritsar and Delhi, Rs 16,000 crore oil refinery, Rs 1500 crore Amonia Fertilizer Plant, Rs 300 crore Ambuja Cement Plant and many more, were got sanctioned. He further said that Rs 40,000 crore were arranged for investment in the public and private sector during the last two years.

Nawanshahr: Welfare Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur, unfurled the National Flag and took salute from the marchpast at the district-level function organised here at the ITI playground. DSP(H), Nawanshahr, Pushkar Sandal, led the marchpast.

A total of 2,300 sweaters were distributed to Saksharta Sewaks by district literacy society and sewing machines and tricycles were given by the district Red Cross Society. Twenty two persons from the district were honoured by the minister for excellence in various fields.

Kapurthala: Punjab Tourism Minister Jagir Kaur unfurled the National Flag. She also distributed sewing machines and tricycles to the poor.

Rail Coach Factory General Manager V. P. Ojha unfurled the National Flag at the RCF. Reports of celebrations were also received from Phagwara, Sultanpur Lodhi and Bholath sub-divisions.

Moga: Punjab Transport Minister Raghbir Singh addressed a big gathering after unfurling the National Flag. The minister distributed tri-cycles and sewing machines. JALANDHAR: Punjab Food and Supplies Minister, Madan Mohan Mittal unfurled the National Flag at the Guru Gobind Singh Stadium.

Punjab Agriculture Minister, Ajit Singh Kohar unfurled the National Flag at Shahkot and the State Minister for Irrigation, Sikander Singh Malooka unfurled the National Flag at Phillaur.

Sangrur: Minister for Local Government, Labour and Employment Balramji Dass Tandon hoisted the tricolour and took salute from an impressive marchpast. MUKTSAR: Punjab Public Health Minister Narinder Singh took salute and distributed tri-cycles and sewing machines. He awarded Rs 5000 to a young girl Sukhwinder Kaur who scaled Mount Komet, while honouring a police constable Gurjant Singh who distinguished himself in para-gliding.

Faridkot: Education Minister Tota Singh unfurled the National Flag and took salute at the Nehru Stadium yesterday.

Fatehgarh Sahib: Punjab Assembly Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal hoisted the tricolour and took salute. He also honoured 28 persons for their contributions in different fields.

Bathinda: With the objective to check unemployment and to make education profession oriented at the school level, a high-level committee has been constituted by the Punjab Government. This was stated by Minister for Technical Education Upinderjit Kaur while speaking at the Republic Day celebrations. She unfurled the Flag and took the salute.

Ambala: Haryana will be a flood-free state during the coming rainy season since the state government had taken complete flood control measures, disclosed the PWD Minister Karan Singh Dalal, after hoisting the National flag on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations here yesterday. He also said that the Hathni Kund Barage near Yamunanagar would also be completed by June next.

The minister after taking the guard of honour, distributed tricycles to 22 handicapped and sewing machines to war widows. Seven persons from different vocations were honoured on the occasion for their excellent work. These included two bus conductors Harmash Kumar and Sumer Chand who had shown honesty while performing their duties.

Mass pledge, recital of patriotic songs, cultural programmes marked the celebration of the 50th republic day in the Punjab Wakf Board. The day was also observed as `pledge day' in the board where employees vowed to rededicate themselves to their work and communal harmony as expressed by the board administrator Syed Zafar Mahmood.

Shimla: At a state-level function, Governor V.S. Rama Devi hoisted the national flag at the historic Ridge Maidan and inspected a guard of honour.

Army's mechanised columns comprising 106 mm RCL guns, 81 mm motors and 84 mm rocket launchers were exhibited. Chief Minister P. K. Dhumal, Minister of State for Horticulture Narinder Bragta, Minister of State for Urban developments Roop Dass Kashyap, Minister of State for Ayurveda Mohan Lal, Chief secretary A.K. Goswami, MLAs and chairmen of boards and corporations, senior government officers and military officers were also present on the occasion.