Shiromani Akali Dal today demanded from Centre to set up a defence academy at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the historic 350th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji.This demand was put forth by the delegation of MPs from Punjab in a meeting with the Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh in his office at National Capital this afternoon.Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra said that the delegation impressed upon Mr. Rajnath Singh to set up the much needed defence academy at Sri Anandpur Sahib which would impart training to our youth aspiring to join armed forces besides the academy would also prove to be instrumental in strengthening the nation’s security. The delegation also urged the Union Home Minister to immediately approve an elevated road project from the railway station at Patna Sahib to have direct link with Gurdwara Takhat Sri Patna Sahib to enable the millions of devotees, who were expected to converge from the country as well as from abroad on these majestic celebrations.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also asked Mr. Rajnath Singh to immediately release Rs.100 crore already earmarked by Government of India for 350th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji to Punjab and Bihar. The delegation also apprised Mr. Rajnath Singh that both the state governments of Punjab and Bihar have already made special budgetary provision for this purpose and outlined specific programmes to commemorate this mega event in a befitting manner.Responding positively to all the issues raised by the delegation, Mr. Rajnath Singh asked the SAD leaders to send comprehensive proposals regarding all the issues to the Government of India for taking a final decision in this regard. The delegation further sought personal intervention of Union Home Minister to immediately restore the process of electing two Sikh MPs on the management board of Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded.
The leaders also brought all the issues related to Sikhs residing in Jammu & Kashmir into the notice of Union Home Minister and demanded their permanent solution without any further delay. The delegation also demanded necessary steps to be taken immediately to check undue harassment and exploitation of the owners of harvester combines at the hands of toll plazas’ management and suggested harvester combines should also be included in the list of agriculture machinery/equipment and thus exempted from the toll as already in the case of tractor trolleys.Prominent amongst others who were present in the delegation included; Rajya Sabha Members Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhundar and President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Mr. Manjit Singh GK.