Ludhiana: Launching a scheme to grant proprietary rights to landless farmers tilling about 42,000 acres of evacuee land in Punjab for a nominal price, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal handed over allotment letters to 15 farmers.

Addressing the 59th Republic Day function here after unfurling the Tricolour, Badal said the decision to confer proprietary rights on these farmers would go a long way to strengthen the economic lot of the peasantry. The chief minister said Centre-state relations needed to be cast in a "truly federal structure" and blamed the Union government for not providing concessions to boost industry in the state like in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Badal also highlighted Punjab's role in the freedom struggle, including that of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai and Udham Singh. He also warned against attempts to disturb communal harmony in the state.

Republic Day celebrations were also held at Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Faridkot, Jalandhar and Mohali.

Source : PTI