Punjab CM reiterates commitment to foil Congress plan to wrest control of gurdwaras through modern mahants

Lambi (Sri Muktsar Sahib), August 1, 2014: Reiterating that the efforts of Haryana Government to wrest the control of Gurdwaras in the state through its remote controlled ‘modern Mahants’ would not be tolerated at any cost, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the future course of action to oppose this sinister move of Congress at appropriate time would be decided after due deliberations with the Sikh panth.
Addressing the gatherings in village Panniwala, Bodiwala, Ratta Kheda Wadda and Chotta, Aalamwala, Aspaalan and others during the Sangat Darshan of Lambi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that on the directions of Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which was the supreme religious body of the Sikhs, they have called off the agitation against the separate committee in Haryana. However, he said that if due care was not taken to assuage the religious sentiments of Sikhs, which have been deeply hurt by this anti-Sikh step of Haryana government, then relevant strategy would be chalked out regarding the protest in consultation with the Sikh Panth.
The Chief Minister, while recalling the enormous sacrifices made by Sikh panth for formation of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) during the British Raj, said that the step of Haryana government was aimed at weakening this august body. He reminded the people that ever since independence the Congress party has attacked Punjab politically, socially, economically and even religiously. Mr. Badal said that by constituting separate committee for management of Gurdwaras in the state, the Congress has inflicted a third major blow to Sikh psyche, which could not be tolerated at any cost.
The Chief Minister further said that the step of Haryana government was undemocratic as the people rejected by the Sikh electorate have been handed over the reins of Gurdwaras through this move. He said that these agents of Congress had championed the cause of separate committee in Haryana but the wise voters of Haryana had foiled their plans by rejecting them in the SGPC elections. Badal said that the Sikhs of Haryana had voted in the favor of Shiromani Akali Dal by routing these Congress agents from all the 11 seats of the state.
The Chief Minister said that due to the anti-Punjab stance of the previous UPA government, state’s economy had passed through the worst phase in the last decade. He said that the discriminatory policies of the UPA had completely shattered the agrarian economy of Punjab adding that even the UPA’s policy to grant fiscal incentives states led to the flight of industry from the state. However, Badal said that with the formation of NDA government at the Centre hey days of the state would be soon back.
The Chief Minister further said that the concept of Sangat Darshan was an integral part of state’s governance as it virtually brought the government at the doorsteps of people thereby bridging the communication gap between the masses and the administration, which normally hindered the process of progress. Badal said that besides acting as a catalyst for redressing the grievances of people, the Sangat Darshan programs were also helpful for the state government to adjudge the working of officers of the various departments.
Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to make Punjab a ‘drug free state’, the Chief Minister said that the state government has followed a twin strategy for wiping out this menace from Punjab as on one hand massive drive has been initiated to cut the supply line of the drugs and on the other hand a campaign has been embarked for detoxifying the drug addicts in drug de-addiction centers. He said that not only this but the state government was also making efforts to ensure proper rehabilitation of the drug addicts in Punjab. Badal said that 22 Rehabilitation centers were being opened by the state government across the state to rehabilitate the drug addicts by imparting them skill training so that they could live a life with dignity and self respect.
Replying to a query regarding the recent hike in Price of Diesel, the Chief Minister said that the prices of essential commodities should not be increased. However, he welcomed the reduction in petrol prices.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Member Punjab Women Commission Veerpal Kaur Tarmala, his Special Principal Secretaries KJS Cheema and Dr. SK Karunaraju and Deputy Commissioner Jaskiran Singh.