TARGETS MANPREET AND BARNALA AS OPPORTUNISTS
NURPUR BEDI (RUPNAGAR) – Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the prestigious Khalsa Heritage Complex (KHC) at Sri Anandpur Sahib would be formally inaugurated any day from November 15 to 25 by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Addressing the media persons during a sangat darshan program here, Mr. Badal said that he had personally called on Prime Minister in his office at New Delhi recently urging him to give an appropriate date and time as per his convenience to dedicate this state-of-the-art Sikh monument to the nation. Mr. Badal also mentioned that he had also requested Dr. Singh to inaugurate the Mohali International Airport during his itinerary.
Asked to comment on the statement of President PPCC Amrinder Singh that KHC had already been inaugurated by him during his tenure as Chief Minister, Mr. Badal said he was habitual of beating about the bush and dared to ask him whether anyone could ever think of inaugurating an incomplete project. He said that he had requested the Prime Minister to inaugurate the world class memorial KHC only when it has been fully completed, which was left midway during the previous Congress regime.
Slamming his nephew and the President PPP Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal for betraying the Shiromani Akali Dal for his ulterior motive and vested interests, Mr. Badal said that Manpreet had committed a Himalayan blunder by deserting the Party for which he would have to repent for his entire life. He said that none had ever survived by ditching his or her mother like party, adding Mr. Badal said that former Governor of Tamil Naidu Mr. Surjeet Singh Barnala who had recently joined the ‘Sanjha Morcha’ had also been conferred with several coveted posts which he adored as Governors of other states also like Andhra Pradesh and Uttrakhand besides the Chief Minister of Punjab and twice the Union Minister as Agriculture and Chemical & Fertilizers. Had Mr. Barnala not in the Shiromani Akali Dal, how could have he achieved these titles? asked Mr. Badal. The Chief Minister asserted that Party was always above any individual and "leaving the Party treating oneself wise than the organization is ingratitude", said Mr. Badal.
Referring to the issue of Blacklist, Mr. Badal said that he had personally taken up this matter several times with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister for permanent solution. He said that the state government could only pursue the case with the Centre, but the ultimate decision had to be taken at the level of GoI.
Asked to comment on the rationale behind the sangat darshan in view of the notice issued to the State government by the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Mr. Badal said that sangat darshan was a platform to redress the grievances of the common man on the spot in consultation with the local administration. He said: "I am the elected Chief Minister having the mandate of the people of Punjab and therefore, it was obligatory on my part to go at their doorsteps to solve their day to day problems to ensure them a quality life". He categorically said to disburse development grants was his right as Chief Minister because these grants were disbursed out of a dedicated rural development fund meant for the sole objective of rural development.
To another query about the school teachers working in this region, the Chief Minister said that the government had already made a separate cadre of teachers working in the kandi and border areas to advantage of the local teachers besides to check the growing rate of drops outs amongst the school children in the region.
Earlier, addressing the sangat darshan, the Chief Minister called upon the people to beware of the anti-party activities by our party men and asked them to be united to give a debacle to the Congress in the forthcoming elections. He said that the selection of the candidates would be decided at the level of party keeping in view the popularity, loyalty and performance of the candidates. He reiterated that special emphasis were made on the overall development of the kandi and bet area.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister disbursed development grants worth Rs.3.07 crore to 62 village panchayats in Nurpur Bedi block besides 10 sport kits, 10 gymnasium kits and 80 bicycles. He also disbursed grant of Rs.50 lac for the construction of rural toilets and Rs.5 lac under PYKA. He also announced to distribute utensils to all the Mahila Mandals across the state.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included MLA Sri Anandpur Sahib Sant Baba Ajit Sahib, MLA Morinda Mr. Ujjagar Singh Badali, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. Sukhjitpal Singh, DIG Mr. NK Arora, DC Mr. GK Singh, SSP Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Dr RS Parmar, Bibi Daljit Kaur Kang, SGPC members Mr Amarjit Singh Chawla, Principal Surinder Singh, Ajmer Singh Khera and Parmjit Singh Lakhewal. Several leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP besides Panches-Sarpanches also attended the sangat darshan.