Congmen hold padyatra

CHANDIGARH, Feb 15: The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee today took out a padyatra in the Sector 31 Labour Colony and Sector 49 Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony to highlight the “misrule” of the BJP-led Central government and to protest against the rise in prices of essential commodities, attacks on minorities and non-provision of basic amenities in labour colonies by the local administration.

While addressing the gathering, president Venod Sharma blamed the BJP for its “inefficient” handling of the situation in the country. He said that the attacks on minorities, especially Christians, were “pre-planned” and had brought a bad name for the nation, even as the minorities were feeling insecure. He also warned the Centre against such attacks.

Sharma also criticised the Chandigarh administration for the proposed hike in sales tax on petrol and diesel and also for not providing basic amenities in labour colonies. The Congressmen warned of action if the levies were not withdrawn. Congress spokesman Sunil Parti added that a similar padyatra would also be organised at Colony No. 4 on Tuesday.