Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj Patil on Thursday directed all the Deputy Commissioners in Punjab to collect more funds for Red Cross and send the report to State body regarding collection, expenditure and deposit required share as per rules in the State head.
Presiding over the 47th annual general meeting of Indian Red Cross Society, Punjab State Branch and its allied bodies at Punjab Raj Bhawan, Patil said our volunteers must pay special attention to eradicate social evils like drug addiction and female feticide and should make special efforts to focus on public health, vaccination campaign, and preparedness for pandemics, social welfare and first aid services.
Patil, who is also president of Punjab Red Cross, asked Brig (retd) ABS Brar, secretary of Red Cross to constitute a sub-committee to make draft rules. He said nominate Deputy Commissioners of Bathinda, Amritsar, Jalandhar and ludhiana as members of the sub-committee besides others.
The Governor said: “We have to change our mindset and attitude towars the sensitive issues of societal concern and always be prepared to help the poor and the needy. He said Red Cross volunteers, people and NGO’s need to put in more committed efforts to achieve the goal.
“Red Cross plays a significant role in promoting caring & sharing, besides guiding and supporting the development of society through various service-oriented programmes and mitigating the suffering of fellow human beings. It also has thousands of volunteers involved in helping the needy and contributing in relief operations in case of natural disasters and calamities,” he added.
Patil also gave awards to all the 59 accredited social workers who have done commendable work in their respective fields.