Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today lauded the stand taken by Mr. Manjit Singh GK, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for not allowing Italian Airport authorities to remove his turban and said that his defiant gesture has conveyed to the whole community that Sikhs would not allow anyone to meddle in their internal religious affairs. Talking to media persons after administering oath of office to 213 Sarpanches and 1477 Panches of the district, Mr. Badal said that turban was an intricate part of Sikh personality and nobody in the world has any right to denigrate the pious symbol of their Sikh identity. He said it was unfortunate that various democracies of US, Canada and European countries were adopting parochial and racial approach towards Sikh community, specifically targeting them at the international airport taking the plea of security. He said that Congress led UPA government owes and apology to the Sikh community for failing to give a firm message to all countries not to harass Sikh community at various airports. He said that it was double whammy for the Sikh community that they were being targeted when they are having Sikh Prime Minister in the country. Expressing concern over repeated incidents of targeting of Sikhs especially in Italy Mr. Badal said that there seems to be underlying conspiracy of Congress leadership in this.
Decrying Congress led UPA government for fiddling with the martyrdom of five brave soldiers, Mr. Badal said that the country which does not honours its martyrs is destined to fail. He said that it was unfortunate that our Defence Minister instead of saluting their martyrdom, was concentrating all its energy to save the skin of Pakistan. Answering to a query regarding industrial development in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was progressing in industrial sector by leaps and bounds and recently all company of heads of TATA visited the state to explore the possibilities of industrial expansion. He said that Punjab government was expected of massive investment from TATA as the company delegation was impressed by rapid strides of Punjab Government in industrial sector.
Giving details about the expansion of ongoing welfare schemes and development projects of Punjab Government, Mr. Badal said that with the visionary guidance of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, state government has prepared a plan for complete facelift of the state and the execution of this ambitious project has been started. Mr. Badal said that Punjab would soon double the beneficiary of Atta Daal scheme from 15 lakh families to 30 lakh families besides launching of Scholarship scheme for meritorious students of Rs. 30000, employability allowance of Rs. 1000 to unemployed graduate youth, Rs. 30,000 cashless insurance to all 30 lakh Atta Daal families. He said that state would also provide a health cover to all citizens of Punjab and Special Insurance Cards to be provided to both the beneficiaries of Rs. 30000 insurance scheme and general insurance beneficiaries. He said that Punjab Government has also finalized the proposal of 100 percent sewerage and potable drinking water for Faridkot, Kotkapura and Jaito town and the work on this project would be started soon. He said that a plan under which Rs. 1700 crore would be expended for the repair of village link roads has also been initiated by state government for the facilitation of commuters besides linking of all cities and town with 4/6 lane roads with a project worth Rs. 40000 crore.
Earlier Congratulating the Sarpanches and Panches of Faridkot district, Mr. Badal said that people of Punjab reposing their faith in the development agenda of state, have brought back the ruling alliance. He exhorted the newly elected 213 Sarpanches and 1477 Panches of the district to come forward for the overall development of their respective villages leaving behind the petty politics to make Punjab further prosper and No. 1 state in the country.Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Mr. Mantar Singh Brar, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, Member Parliament, Mr. Deep Malhotra, Faridkot MLA and Bibi Gurcharan Kaur, Former Rajya Sabha MP.