Row over shifting of Amritsar G-20 meeting to Delhi

‘No change in venue, Amritsar will host education meet’: CM

After media reports that the venue of the G-20 education working group’s three-day meeting beginning March 15 could be shifted to Delhi from Amritsar based on Intelligence Bureau inputs on the law and order situation, a political slugfest broke out. Speaking on the issue, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said that the G-20 meeting will definitely be held in Amritsar.

During a media interaction, the Punjab chief minister told the reporters that he has not received any communication regarding the change of venue. Though there is no official word yet from the Union government about the change of venue, the Union labour and employment ministry stated on Sunday that a G-20 labour engagement group meeting will be held in Amritsar on March 19 and 20. Thus indicating that Amritsar is very much on course to host G-20 related meetings.

◗ THE UNION labour and employment ministry stated that a G-20 labour engagement group meeting will be held in Amritsar on March 19 and 20. Thus indicating that Amritsar is very much on course to host G-20 related meetings.

The G-20 secretariat website on Sunday still showed Amritsar as the venue of the second G-20 education working group meeting under the “Sherpa track”, which is a prominent one on the G20 calendar of events and will be attended by foreign delegates of the other G-20 countries. Some of the TV channels reported on Sunday about a possible move to shift the venue to Delhi and cited intelligence reports about possible disturbances that may be caused by pro-Khalistan elements.

The media reports led to an immediate and fierce exchange of words

between leaders of the AAP, the BJP and the Congress on the matter and the law and order situation in Punjab.

AAP ruled Punjab recently witnessed clashes between irate and armed followers of a preacher who attacked the Punjab police. The incident hit the national headlines, sparking a furor over the law and order situation in the state.

The statement from the Union labour and employment ministry regarding hosting the G-20 related meeting in Amritsar added to the controversy. It announced, “The first Labour 20 (L-20) meeting is scheduled to be held in Amritsar from March 19 to 20. L-20 is one of the engagement groups under G-20. It comprises leaders and representatives of trade union centres from the G-20 countries who provide analyses and policy recommendations aimed at addressing laborrelated issues. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is the lead national trade union centre for organising the L-20 inception meeting under the India G-20 presidency. Apart from the meeting, the participants of the L-20 meet will be taken to various excursion sites to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Amritsar.”