Leaders present on stage for paying homage to former Chief Minister Beant Singh during the function held to observe National Integration Day at the memorial of Beant Singh in Chandigarh on Saturday.
Demands to raise peace memorial for 20,000 people killed during terrorism in state
Chandigarh, August 31, 2013: Partap Singh Bajwa President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) today while paying tributes to former Chief Minister Beant Singh said that in the present political history of Punjab there was no other leader had the spirit of nationalism parallel to Beant Singh. His sacrifice for peace, communal harmony and integrity of nation would always be remembered.
Bajwa announced to observe National Integration day every year with state level function at the memorial of Beant Singh in Chandigarh. He however said it was ironical that the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had not released the state’s share of funds for construction of Sardar Beant Singh memorial which is still incomplete after 18 years of his death. He demanded from Badal to immediately release Rs. 6 crore funds required for the memorial. He rued that SAD-BJP government had spent Rs. 36 crores for buying a helicopter, an aero plane for Rs.70 crores and two BMW bullet proof cars for Rs. 7 crore each. Is this not duty of state government to honor and respect a Chief Minister who sacrificed his life for the people of state, he asked.
Bajwa said that more than 20,000 people of Punjab were killed by terrorists during a decade of insurgency. He demanded to construct a ‘peace memorial’ in the memory of all those innocent people who didn’t even know why they were being killed. He said that Akali leaders had taken shelter in safe hide outs to escape the bullet of terrorists and at that time Congress leaders and workers were fighting to save Punjab. He said that Sukhbir Singh Badal who project himself leader of people was hiding in USA during the dark days of militancy.
Bajwa said that Beant Singh had fought against fundamentalist and separatist forces to secure peace for Punjab but the Congress party was still fighting the battle with communal alliance of SAD-BJP to secure honor and respect for Punjab. He said that Punjab had lost its glory during SAD-BJP government and state was in state of total chaos. He said that in the last three CAG reports it was revealed that Rs.4500 crores of central funds were diverted for other purposes and there was no account of Rs.1600 crores. He said that center had given Rs.1900 crores for strengthening of canal system and flood protection works. The most of these funds were spent in Mukatsar, Bathinda and Faridkot districts and the floods have caused maximum damage in Mukatsar district. He said that he would next week visit Lambi, Malout and Gidderbaha the home constituencies of Badal family to see where the money was spent.
Bajwa thanked Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi for the revolutionary Food Security Bill and Land acquisition Bill. He thanked Jai Ram Ramesh Union Minister for Rural Development for sending liberal funds for the development but also requested the minister to ensure that Congress MPs and MLAs are taken into confidence while allotting development funds. He said that it was mandatory under the rules but Punjab Government was not following the rules.
Bajwa thanked Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for making announcement for giving ownership rights of shamlat land to Sikh farmers in Haryana who were allotted land by former CM Partap Singh Kairon. He nailed the lies of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal who promised the Sikh farmers of Gujarat to get them justice. Sukhbir Badal had publically said that he would resolve the issue within three days. He asked Badal to get the SLP against Gujarat farmers withdrawn from Supreme Court or part away from the alliance with BJP, if he claims to be supporter of Sikhs and farmers.
He asked Badal that he would not be Chief Minister of Punjab for ages and if has got a chance to become CM for fifth time he shall repay the debt of people of Punjab by giving honest government. He said that history would not pardon him for the misdeeds and mistakes he is making.
Bajwa assured the central party leaders that Congress party would work unitedly and will fight strongly against the anti-people policies of SAD-BJP government.
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Congress party empowered people of country: Shakeel Ahmed
Great Grand Children of Beant Singh and others offere floral tributes at Samadhi of Beant Singh
A view of mammoth gathering.