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Dhindsa admits differences with BJP; parleys on

Sangrur: Admitting to minor differences with its alliance partner BJP in Punjab, senior SAD leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Friday said parleys were on with the party “to bury the hatchet”.

Talking to reporters after the prize distribution ceremony of a kho-kho championships here, Dhindsa said he along with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SAD acting president Sukhbir Singh Badal held an hour-long meeting with BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Tuesday at Delhi.

The SAD secretary general said the main issue between the alliance partners was of power subsidy and BJP in charge of the State Balbir Kunj will negotiate it with Mr. Badal at Chandigarh on Saturday.

He also ruled out the possibility of a deputy chief ministerial berth to the BJP terming it to be the prerogative of the Chief Minister. He said the issue has already been settled amicably. The chairmen of boards and corporations will be elevated with proportionate berth of BJP in the State Cabinet, he said.

Mr. Dhindsa, who is also the president of Punjab Olympic Association, said a new sports policy is on anvil to boost budding players in the State. He said sportspersons achieving first positions in international championships will be awarded Rs one crore and the second and third placed players will be given Rs 50 lakh and 25 lakh respectively.

The policy to award Asian champions bagging first three positions is on the anvil, he said, adding the government is fixing priorities for recruitment of sportspersons in boards and corporations purely on the basis of their merit. He said the recruitment of players in Punjab Police is already underway.

Mr. Dhindsa said during his tenure as the Union Sports Minister, a Bill was formulated that those sports boards above the financial health of Rs 20 crore will impart financial assistance to other boards under financial crunch. The UPA government has agreed to introduce the Bill in the forthcoming Parliament session. -- PTI

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