Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the budget of Rs 71.76 crore for the construction of state-of-the-art Virasat-e-Khalsa phase-II project to showcase and preserve the glorious history of Sikhs up to the post Independence era for our future generations.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Badal was presiding over the meeting of Anandpur Sahib Foundation Trust here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. The Chief Minister directed the finance department to release funds as per the funding schedule for the completion for 2nd phase project in a time bound manner.
The Chief Minister also directed the Anandpur Sahib Foundation to spare a chunk of land measuring 5 acres for the upcoming memorial - Baba Jiwan Singh Yadgar at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
In another significant decision, Mr. Badal asked the concerned authorities to prepare a comprehensive plan for the setting up of a Solar Energy Power Unit with adequate power generation capacity to cater the current need of Virasat-e-Khalsa. The Chief Minister also gave in principal approval for the installation of a Laser Show and asked the department to prepare a detailed plan in this regard besides a parking lot to stream line the vehicle parking near Virasat-e-Khalsa.
Mr. Badal also reviewed the design of the Phase II of Virasat-e-Khalsa, which was already approved by the Concept Committee comprising eminent Sikh scholars and historians.
It was informed in the meeting that Virasat-e-Khalsa Phase-I (up to Gallery no. 14) that had been completed at a cost of Rs. 250.52 crore whereas the work of Phase-II from Gallery 15 to 27 would be completed by October 2014.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Advisor to the CM on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharn Bains, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channy, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema, Secretary PWD Mr. AS Aujala, Secretary Finance Mr. Jaspal Singh, CEO Anandpur Sahib Foundation Dr. KS Sra, Director Cultural Affairs Mr. Navjot Randhawa and Director Local Government Mr. Ashok Gupta.