DW BUREAU / Thikriwala Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday announced to convert existing girls school at the native village of Parja Mandal movement leader Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwala, into a nursing college. The Chief Minister, who was here to participate in 89th death anniversary of Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal, said that it will be a befitting tribute to the great martyr who sacrificed his life at the altar of the motherland. He said that this will enable the girls of the region to excel in the medical field. Bhagwant Mann said that this nursing college will open new vistas of employment for the girls of the region thereby ushering a new era of unprecedented development. The Chief Minister exhorted the people to follow the high ideals of public service set by Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal in his life. He said that Baba Sewa Singh Thikriwal waged a relentless battle against the aristocracy and steered the country towards freedom. Bhagwant Mann urged the people to follow the footsteps of the great martyr in the fight against modern day imperialism in the form of dynastic rule. The Chief Minister said that the state government is making strenuous efforts for saving the precious water of the state. He said that as the water table of the state is depleting fastly so the state government is consulting world renowned experts regarding ways and means to recharge the water table. Bhagwant Mann said that soon a pilot project will be launched in Barnala district for recharging the water table in the state. The Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts for promotion of alternate crops in the state. He said that all out efforts will be made to assure that farmers get remunerative prices for their produce. Bhagwant Mann said that like for procurement of Paddy, Minimum Support Price will also be ensured in procurement of the alternate crops. Slamming the successive previous governments for plundering the money of the state, the Chief Minister said that though nothing took place in the state but then also the leaders claimed that the state exchequer was empty. He said that ironically these governments didn't take a single step for the welfare of the public but looted the taxpayers money. (editor@dailyworld.in)