The SAD-BJP government accords earnest respect to all religions and celebrating all prominent occasions of every religion at state level.Expressing these views during the statue installation ceremony at Sri Sanatan Dharam Mandir Lohgarh (Zirakpur) held under the supervision of Chief Parliamentary Secretary N.K. Sharma, the Deputy Chief Minister said Punjab has the honour to be first state in the country which has initiated Mukh Mantri Tirath Darshan Yatra for its people aspiring to visit sacred places belonging to their religions. Under the scheme, the devotees are taken to Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Kashi Dham Varanasi, Mata Vaishno Devi, Ajmer Sharif Dargah through special trains and all the expenses regarding boarding-lodging are taken care of by the Punjab Government.
Divulging more, he added that the Punjab Government has taken the initiative of constructing Virasat-e-Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib, memorials at Vadda Ghallughara at Kup Rohira in Sangrur and Chhota Ghallughara at Kahnuwan in Gurdaspur besides Baba Banda Singh Bahadur memorial at Chapparchiri in SAS Nagar district. He also informed that Rs. 200 crore would be spent on the construction of Guru Ravidass Ji memorial at Khuralgarh in Hoshiarpur district. He also lauded the stellar role played by N.K. Sharma and his family in the construction of Sri Sanatan Dharam Mandir at Lohgarh.Disclosing more, S. Badal said the state government has been making untiring efforts to make Punjab 'numero uno' state of the country in terms of development. He emphasized that assembly elections in 2017 would be contested on the plank of development and people of Punjab would again vote in favour of SAD-BJP government as they have been witness to the unprecedented development carried out by the present government. He expressed confidence that people won't fall into the trap of anti-Punjab forces inimical to the development of the state.
Outlining his vision for Derabassi and Zirakpur towns, he said both urban areas would be developed and beautified on the pattern of SAS Nagar and no dearth of funds would be allowed to hamper the infrastructural and developmental projects. He also announced Rs. 150 crore for carrying out development oriented projects in Zirakpur.Lambasting at the Congress, he said People are fed up of its dirty tricks and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has absolutely no base in the state. On being asked about the foreign jaunts of Captain Amarinder Singh, he said Captain had gone to the cool climes of foreign countries on a trip as is his kingly habit and not to seek votes.
Earlier, N.K. Sharma welcomed the Deputy CM and honoured him with Sri Sahib (Sword). Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sharma disclosed that Sanatan Dharma Mandir has been setup in 12 years and people of the area have wholeheartedly contributed to it. Due to the efforts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Rs. 500 crore were spent on development and progress oriented projects in the constituency. He also informed that Punjab government has also constructed a Gaushala in Lalru in 25 acres area at a cost of Rs. 5 crore.On the occasion, V.N. Sharma father of N.K. Sharma, OSD to Deputy CM Charanjit Singh Brar, Chairperson Punjab State Women’s Commission Bibi Paramjeet Kaur Landran, Commission member Bibi Satwant Kaur Johal, President Municipal Council Zirakpur Kulwinder Singh Sohi, President Municipal Council Derabassi Bhupinder Singh Saini were also present.