Slamming the opposition parties for politicizing the grave issue of Pathankot terror attack, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that at least sensitive issues involving national security must be spared from cheap politics. Interacting with the media persons on sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Rajasansi assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that our political leadership was making baseless statements on this issue involving country's unity and integrity. He said that there were a number of issues for political leaders to debate but they must at least spare such issues where nation's security was concerned. “Our brave soldiers have valiantly protected honour of the country but some political outfits were washing dirty linen on it for sake of vested interests, which is shameful”, he added. Reiterating the firm commitment of state government to help the bereaved families of security personnel killed in counter urgency operation at Pathankot, the Chief Minister said that every effort would be made to bail out these families out from the crisis.
He said that the state government had already decided a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to next of kin of martyrs along with a government job as a humble tribute to these brave hearts. Mr. Badal said that apart from it the state government would make all out efforts to help these families in hour of grief. The Chief Minister said that he had asked the Government of India to beef up the security at Borders to prevent cross border terrorism. He said that it was the need of the hour to ensure that incidents like Dinanagar and Pathankot should not happen again. Mr. Badal further said that the state government was fully committed for preserving the peace and amity in the state and no one would be allowed to disturb it. Earlier addressing the gatherings during Sangat Darshan at village Rajasansi, Ladde, Jagdev Kalan, Harshe Cheena and Bhittewad, the Chief Minister said that some forces inimical to progress of the state were hell bent upon disturbing its hard earned peace. He said that the SAD-BJP alliance government was committed to thwart any such attempt and the ugly head of such forces would be crushed with heavy hand.
Recalling the glorious legacy of Shiromani Akali Dal, the Chief Minister reminded the people that the party had relentlessly worked for safeguarding the interests of the state. He said that each and every worker of SAD was committed for the cause of state due to which they had even suffered many hardships. “Contrary to it the other political parties have harmed the interests of the state for their own vested interests” added Mr. Badal.The Chief Minister further said that state government has taken several major initiatives for the well being of people. He said that Punjab was the only state which has initiated pro - poor schemes like Atta - Dal and Shagun. Likewise, Mr Badal said that the state government was providing free power to farmers of the state at a cost of Rs 5000 crore every year.
Apprising the people about ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme’ for providing free pilgrimage to sacred cities of Sri Nanded Sahib, Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi) and Ajmer Sharif, the Chief Minister exhorted them to take full benefit of this scheme. He said that under this scheme the state government would organize free trains to these cities for the people from Punjab and also provide other logistic facilities to pilgrims. Mr. Badal said that Punjab was the only state in the country to take this first of its kind initiative to facilitate the people for undertaking pilgrimage to these holy places.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chairman of District Planning Committee Mr. Veer Singh Lopoke, BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, Youth Akali leader Mr. Ranbhir Singh Lopoke, President of Student Organisation of India Mr. Gursharan Singh Chhina, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. S. Karunaraju, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Jaspreet Singh.