Reiterating his firm commitment to make Punjab an ocean of tranquility, amity and brotherhood, Punjab Chief MinisterParkash Singh Badal today said that he would be the guarantor of peace and communal harmony in the state till his last breath.Addressing the members of the Chandigarh Press Club on its 35th Foundation day, the Chief Minister said that maintaining peace, communal harmony and amity was the highest priority of his government and he has ever respected these ethos with all sincerity and commitment and were the real foundation to ensure overall development of the state and welfare of its people. Justifying the credentials of Shiromani Akali Dal as a secular party in the Indian polity, the Chief Minister mentioned that Nine Hindu candidates, One Muslim besides 22 Scheduled Castes got elected on its party ticket during the last assembly elections.
On another issue, Mr. Badal categorically said that shifting of Sikh prisoners Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar and Gurdeep Singh Khaira to the State didn’t pose any threat to peace in Punjab. He said the state government followed the entire procedure laid down by the Government of India within the ambit of law of the land, that too with the prior consent of Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. He said unnecessary clamor and apprehensions in the wake of threat perception to the hard earned peace in the state was absolutely ‘out of context’ and beyond anyone’s comprehension. He asked the media persons to keep a restrain while reporting such sensitive issues and impressed upon them not to create unwarranted media hype in this regard rather they should play a constructive role within the ethics of objectivity, fairness, truth and without any bias. Mr. Badal said, “Any deviation from the path of balanced and objective reporting on the part of journalists tends to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and chaos in the society which must be avoided otherwise it erodes their credibility and faith of people, as they believe the Press next to the God”.
Dispelling the apprehensions about the so-called SAD-BJP strained relations, the Chief Minister clearly said their relations were absolutely cordial and its alliance was ever lasting. He even said that there was no question of parting ways with them and declared that both the SAD and BJP would jointly contest the next assembly elections in 2017. Ruling out any electoral challenge from the Congress and AAP party, the Chief Minister said, “None could foresee the election results but on the basis of superb performance of SAD-BJP alliance in the state, he is hopeful of their bright prospects too during the 2017 state assembly poll”.Asked to reveal the predominant factors for his longest tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab for five terms, Mr. Badal attributed this solely to the grace of the Almighty, adding the Chief Minister said he was overwhelmed by the unbounded love and affection showered upon him by the people of the state. He said sincerity towards party coupled with utmost honesty and dedication were the redeeming factors to adore a humble person like him with such coveted office of Chief Minister.
Urging the media persons to highlight the major developmental activities and welfare schemes, the Chief Minister said he has even requested the editors of the national and regional newspapers to exclusively dedicate at least one or two pages to highlight the problems and redressal of their issues related to the rural folk especially the agriculture, education and health scenario rural sector. He said ‘development journalism’ must be given precedence over other subjects. Mr. Badal said that the unhealthy practice of sensationalizing the news must be abandoned forthwith otherwise it would create a sense of despair and dejection amongst the masses. He impressed upon the media persons to give adequate space to some path breaking initiatives like meritorious schools, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Mai Bhago Preparatory Academies of Armed Forces for boys and girls respectively, which deserved wide appreciation from all quarters in the society especially from the media.
Earlier, responding to the demands of the media fraternity put forth by the President of Chandigarh Press Club Mr. Balwinder S. Jammu for announcing monthly pension, cashless hospitalization, enhancing free travel facility in all categories of buses of the state roadways and fixing quota for the journalists while allotting plots/apartments in housing schemes/projects of the state government, Mr. Badal asked the Director, Information & Public Relations to chalk out the modalities with the members of the Press Club before taking a final decision in this regard. The Chief Minister also suggested to create a dedicated fund for the welfare of the journalists on the lines of ‘Advocate’s Welfare Fund’, where the state government would also contribute its shares equivalent to the contribution made by the journalists. On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced that grant of Rs. 25 lac to the press club.The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains.Meanwhile, the President Mr. Balwinder S. Jammu and Secretary Mr. Nalin Acharaya conducted the proceedings of the program.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Jangveer Singh and Director, Information & Public Relations Mr. Rahul Tewari.