Pathankot, October 16
Katori Rest House situated on the border of Himachal Pradesh where Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal, was kept during the tenure of the Beant Singh government is being renovated on a war-footing despite financial crunch. The sudden face-lifting being given to the building has led to the rumours that Mr Badal could again be kept in the same rest house if he was arrested by the state government as announced by Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister.
Contractors and labourers engaged in the renovation of the rest house admitted that they were directed to complete the work at the earliest. The location of the rest house is considered the best from security point of view as Mr Badal faces a threat to his life. The face-lifting of the rest house is being done after a long period.
While most of the rest houses in the state have been converted into virtual ghost bungalows due to financial crunch, the urgency shown for the renovation of the rest house shows that it was being carried out with a specific purpose.
However, a senior official of the state government, who pleaded anonymity, said unlike past Mr Badal was unlikely to be accommodated in the rest house as Capt Amarinder Singh had already announced that he (Mr Badal) would get the “actual jail”.
The building contractors, Mr Tarunpal Singh Mr Ashok Kumar and Mr Ranbir Singh who have been carrying out the renovation work at behest of PWD (B&R) said at least Rs 5 lakh would be spent to complete the job. The furniture of the rest house was also being repaired. However, the officials of the PWD described the face-lifting of the rest house as “routine”.
In case Mr Badal is kept in this building it would be difficult for his supporters to meet him frequently.
However, Akali leader said Mr Badal was ready to go to any jail and did not want to be put in the rest house.
