The Hindu : National : Manmohan's assurance to Punjab

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 02, 2004

National

National

Manmohan's assurance to Punjab

By Sarabjit Pandher

AMRITSAR, SEPT. 1. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, today stopped short of announcing a package for Punjab, especially for this holy city. He assured ``complete support'' from the Centre for various demands that included establishing a special economic zone (SEZ) in the border areas and the return of rare manuscripts taken away from the Golden Temple complex during `Operation Bluestar' in 1984.

Dr. Singh was responding to the requests from the Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, and the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Parkash Singh Badal, while addressing a mammoth gathering in New Amritsar, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple.

The Prime Minister said the Centre had set up a national-level committee to organise the celebrations in the country and abroad. He said Rs. 70 crores would be provided for completing the final phase of the corridor project to beautify the surroundings of the Golden Temple.

Funds would be given to construct a Khalsa Heritage Complex at Anandpur Sahib.

Dr. Singh said the Centre would consider setting up a SEZ, which would include a Rs. 1,100 crore investment, with the help of private participation in infrastructure development.

He hoped that the project would provide jobs to 55,000 persons.

The State Government's project report on Guru Ram Das Integrated Slum Development Scheme would be examined shortly, he said.

Heritage site

He was hopeful that while the UNESCO would grant "World Heritage Site" status to the Golden Temple next year as the shrine attracted maximum number of visitors. The Central Government would take steps to reduce pollution in the city, in accordance with teachings of the Sikh Gurus.

The demand for handing over the historic Gobindgarh Fort to establish a culture and heritage centre, returning the rare manuscripts taken away from the Sikh Reference Library in the Golden Temple complex during `Operation Bluestar' and review of the recruitment policy would be referred to the Defence Ministry with his recommendations, he added amid cheers.

During the coming talks with Pakistan, India would stress for liberal permission for travel of pilgrims to that country, fulfilling the prayers made in the "Sikh Ardas".

He also quoted the assurance conveyed to his special emissary, J.N. Dixit, who recently met the French President to resolve the crisis related to the wearing turban there.

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