Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* GOVERNMENT CONSTANTLY IN TOUCH WITH GoI OVER THIS SENSITIVE ISSUE
* NO HIDDEN AGENDA BEHIND TO SEEK RETRIEVAL OF BOOKS, RARE MANUSCRIPTS AND OTHER ARTIFACTS TAKEN DURING OPERATION BLUE STAR
* CONGRESS LEADERS HABITUAL OF MISLEADING THE PEOPLE BY RAISING THE BOGEY OF TERRORISM
Sangrur, May 15- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Government of India (GoI) was making strenuous efforts for locating the whereabouts of the Punjabis trapped in Iraq.
Interacting with the media persons at the residence of former Union Minister Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government was in constant touch with GoI to know the details of the sons of the soil trapped in Iraq. He said that it was unfortunate that till now all these youth have not come back but then also the state government and GoI were leaving no stone unturned to ensure their safe release. Mr. Badal said that he had personally taken up this issue with Union External Affairs Minister Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, who was taking keen interest in evacuating these youth from the strife torn Iraq.
Reiterating the firm commitment of state government to extend a helping hand to the distressed families, the Chief Minister further said that he had already directed the officers of the state government to ensure that the families of these youth stuck in Iraq were given financial assistance on time. He said that the state government was duty bound to help these distressed families in this hour of grave crisis.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government would raise the issue of retrieving books, rare manuscripts and other artifacts taken away by the Indian Army from Sikh Reference Library, Amritsar during the Operation Blue Star, with the Government of India (GoI). He said these rare artifacts were of immense historical and religious significance for each and every Sikh. Refuting the allegations of political or hidden agenda behind demanding back these articles, Mr. Badal said that it was the bounden duty of the state government to bring these articles back as it was part of great cultural legacy of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress leaders were habitual of misleading the people of state by raising the bogey of terrorism after every move of the state government. He said that the state government was committed for maintaining peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state at every cost. “The Congress leaders see threat to peace in each and every action of the state government whereas the fact is that they are themselves vary of development and progress of state”, added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister also announced that the construction work for the bus stand Sangrur would be completed at the earliest. He said that conceding to the demand made by the residents of Sangrur the state government has conceived the design and plan of this project, which would be very beneficial for the region.
Later the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of this bus stand amidst heavy downpour.
Continuing his thanks giving tour in Dhuri assembly segment, the Chief Minister today held Sangat Darshan in various wards of Dhuri city. In his address, Mr. Badal thanked the people of Dhuri for reposing faith in the pro-people and growth oriented policies of the SAD-BJP alliance.
Interacting with the media persons here, the Chief Minister said that the demand of state Congress Chief Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa pertaining to unconditional release of students involved in thrashing a private bus was a matter concerning to the law and order and would be dealt accordingly by Police. However, he said that there was hardly any need of violent protest by any section of the society as the state government was always ready to listen them thoroughly. Mr. Badal said that his doors were always open for everybody so there was need for creating any problem that could disturb law and order in the state.
When asked to comment on the hi-tech methods being adopted by the state government and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to stay connected with the people, the Chief Minister said that it was the need of hour to have better rapport with the masses. Mr. Badal said that these changes have been made so as to synchronize the party and the government machinery as per the modern era.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by former Union Minister Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Cabinet Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Babu Parkash Chand Garg, MLAs Mr. Gobind Singh and Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Chairman PRTC Mr. Avtar Singh Brar, Chairman Pravasi Bhalai Board Mr. RC Yadav, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Arshdeep Singh Thind.
