‘Cong govt disrespecting Takht’

SULTANPURLODHI: Union food processing industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Friday accused the Congress government in Punjab of disrespecting the Akal Takht by trying to organise a programme to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak at a separate venue.

“The Congress is deliberating trying to put up a second stage even as the SGPC is already holding a programme,” said Harsimrat during his visit to the city.

“Religious programmes are always organised by religious bodies, but I don’t know why Capt Saab (chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh) is hesitating to join the SGPC programme. They are trying to rise above Sri Akal Takht Sahib by organising a second stage. They are trying to spoil the fervour of this auspicious function,” she said.

RAILWAY STATION BEING UPGRADED

The minister announced that the Sultanpur Lodhi railway station is being upgraded with a heritage look at a cost of Rs 22 crore. As many as 26 new trains have been announced to connect the city with various parts of the country, she added. Besides, two multimedia exhibitions and a book fair will also be organised here.

“I have requested the Centre to name the integrated checkpost (ICP) at Dera Baba Nanak as Sat Kartar ICP and the road stretch from Sultanpur Lodhi to the international border as Guru Nanak Dev Marg,” she said.

Harsimrat said she supported the stand of Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Badal who termed the BJP’S act of inducting in its fold the lone Akali MLA in Haryana as “unethical and unfortunate”.

HT PHOTO Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Harsh Vardhan and Harsimrat Kaur Badal flagging off the New Delhilohian Khas Sarbat Da Bhala Express at the New Delhi railway station on Friday. The train, previously called the New Delhi-ludhiana Intercity, has been renamed and will ply from the national capital to Lohian Khas in Jalandhar via Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala for the benefit of devotees.