M A I N   N E W S

Chapter on Beant Singh in books soon
Amarinder Singh absent at Payal function
Amarjit Thind
Tribune News Service

Payal, August 31
A chapter devoted to the supreme sacrifice of former Chief Minister Beant Singh for the unity and integrity of the nation in school and history textbooks will soon be a reality following a recommendation by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to the Human Resource Development Ministry.

This was revealed by AICC treasurer Moti Lal Vora at an impressive gathering on the occasion of the state-level function organised to mark the 10th martyrdom anniversary of the late CM Beant Singh at Payal here today. Capt Amarinder Singh could not make it to the function since he was attending the National Integration Council meeting in Delhi.

Remembering his long association with Beant Singh, Mr Vora said the former was committed in his fight against terrorism. He also put the state on the fast track of development during his tenure.

Appreciating the performance of the Congress government in Punjab, he asserted that the government would not only complete its five-year tenure, but would also usher in a new era of development and prosperity in the state. He claimed that the UPA Government under the able leadership of PM Manmohan Singh had made substantial achievements both at the national and international levels.

Mr Vora also honoured Mata Jaswant Kaur, widow of Beant Singh, by presenting a shawl to her.

As it was a Dullo show all the way, PPCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo was in his element as he paid glowing tributes to his leader amid slogans eulogising the late CM. The pandal was decorated with large posters of the Gandhi family and the late Beant Singh while there were only two posters of the CM at the venue.

Lashing out at the Akalis, he squarely blamed them for aiding and abetting terrorism in the state. It is an open secret that SAD leaders were fully responsible for the killing of more than 25,000 innocent people in the state. He said when the Congress leaders, workers and innocent people were being killed by terrorists, Akali leaders were busy attending the bhog ceremonies of terrorists. Has any Akali leader ever visited and condoled the families of the victims, he questioned.

Mr Dullo warned the SAD-BJP leaders against their efforts to instigate the religious sentiments of people for narrow political reasons and asserted that his party would not allow anybody to disturb the hard-earned peace in Punjab.

He said the Capt Amarinder Singh Government had launched a concrete programme for the welfare of every section of society and allround development of the state. He asserted that in the coming one and half years, many more schemes would be started to make Punjab a prosperous state

Mr Ashok Gehlot, general secretary, read the message of Ms Sonia Gandhi, President, AICC, in which she said that without caring for his own life, Beant Singh had struggled to save the social fabric of the state. She added that he led the state during the most trying period and strengthened the confidence and courage of people.

Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, described the late CM as a brave and fearless leader and said that the coming generations would always remember his sacrifice to save the unity and integrity of the country.

She said a large number of Congress workers had lost their lives in the fight against terrorism and criticised the SAD-BJP leadership for exploiting the sentiments of people for political gains. The government had fulfilled most of the poll promises and had set up an corpus fund of Rs 450 crore for releasing regular pensions to the needy, she asserted.

Ms Perneet Kaur, MP, while paying tributes on behalf of the Chief Minister, said it was only because of the sacrifices of Beant Singh and other leaders that the state was on the fast track to progress. She said it was due to the hard-earned peace that Punjab had achieved the distinction of being the Number 1 state in the country, she pointed out.

The stage was conducted by MLA Malkiat Singh Dakha in tandem with Gurkirat Singh, a grandson of the late Beant Singh.

Others who addressed the function included Mr Virinder Kataria, a former PCC President, Dr Kewal Krishan, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, senior BJP leader, Mr. Tej Parkash Singh and Mr. Jasbir Singh Sangrur, former ministers, and Mr Manish Tiwari, secretary, AICC.

Present on the occasion were Ashwani Kumar, MP, Mr Surinder Singla, Finance Minister, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, Mr Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Transport Minister, Mr H D Johar Education Minister, Mr Ramesh Dogra, Health Minister, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Animal Husbandry Minister, Mr Malkiat Singh Birmi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Surinder Dawar, Mr Ashwani Sekhri, Mr Sadhu Singh Dharmsot, Mr Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Mr Tarlochan Singh, Mr Raj Kumar, Mr Bal Mukand Sharma, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon, Mr Arvind Khanna, Ms Malti Thapar, Mr NS Gill, Mayor, Mr K K Bawa, Mr Darshan Singh Brar, Mr Avtar Singh Brar, Mr Lakhmir Singh Randhawa, Mr Amarjit Singh Tikka, Mr Parminder Mehta and others.

Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr Naunihal Singh, SSP, Khanna oversaw the arrangements.