Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today approved to constitute a five-member Committee to organize the foundation stone laying function of new Temple Complex at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath), at a cost of Rs 115 crore on the auspicious occasion of Bhagwan Valmiki Jayanti on October 18 in a befitting manner.A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a high level review meeting here today at his residence. The Committee would comprise Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channi, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Amritsar. This Committee would also monitor the entire project.On the occasion Mr. Badal Said that in order to perpetuate the rich legacyand pay obeisance to of Bhagwan Vailmiki Maharaj Ji, the state government had decided to construct an aesthetically designed engineering marvel with rare architecture.
The Chief Minister also approved the Punjab Cultural affairs department as a nodal agency of the project, besides PWD as Executing agency. It was informed in the meeting that Architecture department of the Guru Nanak Dev University had prepared the structural designs of this worldclass temple and would handover it to the PWD.The Chief Minister said that the state government would invite all the religious leaders and eminent personalities on this historic occasion to be a part of this great moment and the place where the 'Maharishi' had propagated the concept of egalitarian society by composing the legendary epic ‘Ramyana'.Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channi, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Amritsar.