Sheila pats ‘brave’ Capt on SYL triumph

Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Sunday said people-to-people contact between Punjabis in India and Pakistan would strengthen ...

Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Sunday said people-to-people contact between Punjabis in India and Pakistan would strengthen the process of confidence-building.

He said this at a function where he was felicitated for his contribution to the Sikh community by the Shiromani Akali Dal and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, the chief guest, honoured Singh with a ceremonial sword, a shawl, a set of books and a memento. Dikshit praised Singh’s efforts towards getting ‘‘justice’’ for Punjab in the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal. ‘‘Amarinder Singh has bravely fought for the water rights of farmers in Punjab,’’ Dikshit said

Singh said, ‘‘If we had water, we would have no problems giving it to others. But Punjab farmers should not suffer in the process. Since the matter is in the Supreme Court, I cannot say much except that we have been fighting and we’ll continue to do so for the rights of the farmers of Punjab.’’

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On the release of Sikh detainees during the Punjab militancy period, Singh said 17 of 51 detainees would be released soon. The government commemorated the 500th birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev, 400th anniversary of Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and 300th anniversary of the martyrydom of Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh in 2004, and other plans are on the anvil, he said. He also announced expansion of the 500 MW Guru HarGobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, at a cost of over Rs 1750 crore.

Amarinder Singh also criticised former CM Parkash Singh Badal, saying he had done nothing for the state or the Panth.