The second edition of ‘Coffee with Captain’, Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh’s outreach campaign, kickstarted from Pathankot on Wednesday where more than two thousand ex servicemen discussed their issues and ideas for Punjab directly with Captain himself.
Ex-servicemen from Pathankot, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Jalandhar attended the interactive session that was organised by members of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC)
Not only did the war veterans share their glorious experiences with everyone, Captain Amarinder Singh too shared war stories from the 1965 war that he fought.
When ex-fauji Jaswant Singh from Amritsar raised concerns over poor quality of life and financial conditions of ex-servicemen, Capt Amarinder Singh said he would provide reservations in jobs for ex-servicemen in Punjab Government departments such as Bijli board. He also said that he would ensure strict implementation of policy providing Govt jobs to the kin of a martyred servicemen on the line of duty
Replying to a question raised by Brigadier Inder Mohan Singh on establishment of ex-servicemen commission for dealing with all issues related to Ex-servicemen on the lines of SC and Minorities commission, Captain Amarinder Singh gave an assurance that he would form an Ex-servicemen cell which will be directly under the ambit of the Chief Minister’s Office. He further said that the cell would be led by an ex-fauji as he would be the best person to empathize and address the issues. “The cell incharge will hold a cabinet rank” he added.
When apprised by Col Salaria from 23rd Punjab Regiment that 14% reservation for ex-servicemen is not provided by the state of Punjab (unlike the central Govt) Capt assured him that when elected he would implement it on mission mode.
I-PAC team had reached out to ex-servicemen across Punjab during April and May, who were keen to not only meet and discuss their ideas and issues with Captain, but also seek his intervention for their trust in him to resolve the same.
Those of whom could not make it sent in their video questions to team I-PAC that were played out during the event.
Previously similar events were also organized in Patiala, ludhiana, Amritsar and Chandigarh where youth interacted with Captain and discussed many important issues plaguing the state and
their city.