Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today sought immediate intervention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for the release of more than 100 Sikh political prisoners lodged in various jails on compassionate grounds who have completed their sentences.Answering media queries regarding indefinite fast being observed by Kurukshetra resident Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa at Ambala for release of Sikh prisoners, Mr. Badal accompanying Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Pawan Kumar Tinu, said he is writing to Union Home Minister in this regard seeking release of jailed Sikhs, who have already completed their sentences. He urged the Centre to consider sympathetically the issue of jailed Sikhs on compassionate grounds and free them under rehabilitation policy introduced in some other states to bring them into mainstream.On being asked about the delay in announcement of municipal elections in the state, Mr. Badal clarified that there was no delay on the part of Punjab Government.
He said State was ready to conduct the urban local bodies (ULBs) elections as per the convenience of election commission as state have issued notifications of 3 Municipal Corporations and 85 ULBs while notification for remaining will be issued within day or two. Deputy CM said hopefully the municipal elections would be conducted in the month of January. He also clarified that seat sharing formula with its ally BJP during elections would be fought on same principles followed in the previous polls.When asked about New Delhi assembly elections and seat sharing with BJP, Mr. Badal said SAD will field its candidates from 4 seats. He stressed that SAD had registered unprecedented victory on three seats out of four.
Adding he said he was confident that in ensuing assembly elections SAD would easily secure win over these four seats.Giving clear message to civil and police administration in the state to remain present in their respective offices well in time for facilitation of common masses, Deputy CM directed no officer would work from their camp offices. He said not only he, himself, but too the ministers of state would conduct surprise visits in government offices to oversee functioning as well as public facilities. He said erring officers would be dealt strictly and lateness would not be tolerated. He asked the department heads to ensure the presence of all officers well in time in their offices.
On the issue of Minister’s presence in their secretariat offices, Mr. Badal said that they would also ensure their three day presence in their offices. Replying to query regarding last rites to be performed by Punjab Government as per the verdict of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. Badal said state is taking needful steps in this regard. He said the committee under Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar is finalising the plan vis-a-vis maintaining law and order.