Bhopal, Apr 24: Commercial Taxes Minister Babulal Gaur has said that no country can progress without giving proper honour to labourers and farmers. These are the two sections that bolster the nation by the dint of their hard work. He said that labourers should also take part in recreational activities like sports. This would inculcate the sense of discipline as well as enthusiasm in them.

Gaur expressed these views while inaugurating state level sports competitions at BHEL Sports Complex here today. The competitions are being organised by Madhya Pradesh Labour Welfare Board. Winners and runners-up of division-level competitions numbering about 225 are taking part in the two-day sports meet. The inaugural function was presided over by chairman of the Labour Welfare Board, Mangilal Porwal while MLA Uma Shankar Gupta was the special guest.

Addressing the function, Board Chairman Porwal said that 18 welfare schemes have been launched by Labour Welfare Board including grant for marriage and scholarships to wards of labourers and they should avail benefits of these schemes. MLA Uma Shankar Gupta lauded the organisers' efforts while describing sports activities in the labour sector as very useful. Labour Commissioner SS Dixit, while throwing light on the state level sports competitions, said that only those players are taking part in this meet who have been winners and runners-up at the division-level competitions.

The competitions include 100-metre, 200-metre, 400-metre, 800-metre and 1500-metre races, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, Kabaddi, long jump and high jump. The teams taking part in the competition include Grasim Industries Nagda, Dhar Textiles Pithampur, Raymond Industries Chhindwara, HEG Mandideep, JK Tyre Industry Banmor, Rosy Blue Pithampur, Orient Paper Mills Amlai, Nahar Spinning Mills Mandideep etc. Those present on the occasion included labour leaders Roop Singh Chouhan and Pramod Pradhan etc.