Chandigarh, 18th February:
Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sh Madan Mohan Mittalhas strongly urged the Government of India to postpone the dates for the Pulse Polio campaign in the state of Punjab in view of Sri Guru Ravi Das Jayanti falling on 25 February 2013. Pulse Polio drive has been scheduled by Government of India across the country on 24-26 February, 2013. However, a delegation led by Sh Rajesh Bagha, Chairman, Punjab State SC Commission here today met Sh Madan Mohan Mittal and apprised him about Sri Guru Ravidas Birth Anniversary on 25th February, and further urged him to postpone the dates for Pulse Polio Campaign in the state so as to facilitate thousands of health workers as well lakhs of general public to take part in the event. Keeping in view the representation of the delegation as well as religious sentiments of the general public, the Health Minister has urged the Centre Government to reschedule the Polio campaign in Punjab for 26-28 February, 2013 instead of presently scheduled 24-26 February, since the dates for the massive Pulse Polio campaign are decided by Government of India. He said the decision has been taken to facilitate thousands of the filed workers of health department and employees of other departments as well who have been deputed for the successful execution of the polio campaign along with the general public to participate in the Sri Guru Ravidas Jayanti and thereafter the Pulse Polio Campaign, too, wholeheartedly.