RS.81.96 CRORE FOR MISSION TALWANDI SABO

CHANDIGARH APRIL 1, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today held a detailed meeting with the administration of Bathinda to chalk out a comprehensive plan for the development of Talwandi Sabo.

The Chief Minister mentioned that in view of year long celebrations of Gurta-Gaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the strenuous efforts of the SAD-BJP Government had resulted in securing a grant of Rs.81.96 crore from the centre for the overall development of this holy city of Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib - one of the five Thakths of Sikhs.

Unveiling the development plan for Talwandi Sabo the Chief Minister informed that Rs. 16.74 crore would be spent on the various schemes of Water Supply, Sewerage & Sanitation, cleaning of Ponds & Solid Waste Management to give a new look to this historic city. He further informed that a plan had also be chalked out for the 4-laning of Bathinda–Talwandi Sabo road with a cost of Rs. 40 crore, it would also include the Widening and Strengthening of Talwandi Sabo–Rori road. Mr. Badal also directed the PSEB to prepare a detailed project report for provisioning of underground electrification of Talwandi Sabo.

Taking part in the deliberations Shiromani Akali Dal President & Member Parliament Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal advised the administration to start "Mission Talwandi Sabo " on war footing and accomplish it in a time bound manner.

The Chief Minister announced to appoint Chief Administrator Bathinda Development Authority Kamal Kishore Yadav (I.A.S.) as over all incharge of this programme and asked him to utilize the expertise of Lt. Gen. Retd. B.S. Dhaliwal PVSM, AVSM, ISM for the successful augmentation of these development programs.

Mr. Badal also informed that Talwandi Sabo would be developed as a sports hub by setting up a state-of-the-art Sports Academy, a Hockey Stadium and a Youth Hostel to facilitate our young players. He said that a Cultural & Religious Centre at a cost of Rs. 5 crore would also be set up at Talwandi Sabo.

Earlier Mr. Badal along with Mr. Sukhbir Badal paid obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and visited various locations where proposed development projects would be launched. On this occasion large number of local people were present to express their gratitude to Mr. Badal for taking these bold initiatives and honoured the Chief Minister and Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal along with SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar.

Prominent amongst those who were present on this occasion included Member Parliament Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, Chief Parliamentary Secretary S. Jagdeep Singh Nakai, Lt. Gen. (Retired) B.S. Dhaliwal, Director Sports S. Pargat Singh, Director C-PYTE Brig.(Retd.) G.J Singh, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Dr. Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner Bathinda Sh. Rahul Tiwari, Senior Akali leader S. Sikander Singh Maluka, S. Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Sh. Sarup Chand Singla, S. Darshan Singh Kotfatta, B.J.P leader Dyal Singh Sodhi and many other SAD-B.J.P Leaders and Senior Officers of District Administration.