A delegation comprising 6 members of the California Assembly of the United States of America (USA) and some officials today visited the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Rana K.P. Singh welcomed the delegation and emphasized the furthering of the socio-economic relations of both the states.In his welcome address, the Speaker said that just as the California State is a leading player in the agricultural sector in USA, in the similar vein Punjab is the numero uno state in India in terms of agricultural production. He further said that both the states need to cooperate mutually in the significant sectors such as agricultural as well as the water resources management. The Speaker also batted for the visits of the representatives of assemblies of both the states at regular intervals so as to ensure development of both through each others’ expertise besides paving the way for promoting through cooperative spirit the social and political relations.
The Speaker also apprised the delegation members about the development centric works being done by the Punjab Government in various other spheres apart from agriculture. On the occasion, MLA Pargat Singh was also present who while underlying the importance of sports held discussions with the delegation on the issue of establishing a sports university in Punjab and mutual cooperation with regard to the same. The delegation members appreciated the unique building of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha besides the hospitality of the Punjabi people. The members while rooting for the wholehearted cooperation between both the states expressed strong hope that both the states would indulge in benefitting from each others’ cooperation in certain specialized sectors.It is worth mentioning that the delegation was led by the MLA Ash Kalra while the other MLAs included Cecilia Aguire Kerry, Richard Bloom, Eloise Gomez Reyes, Sharon Quirk-Silva, Mark Stone, Director of International Relations, Speaker’s office of Protocol Mr. Anka Lee and District Director, Office of Assenbly Member Ash Kalra-Ms. Stacie Smith. Among others present included MLA Mr. Pargat Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Home Mr. N.S. Kalsi, Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha Shashi Lakhanpal Mi