PM launches development projects in Punjab

Amritsar, Dec 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today launched a number of development projects including the 600MW Goindwal Thermal Power Project, construction of the four laning of the Amritsar-Wagah National Highway-I, a multi-crore Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewable Mission for this Holy City.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here last night, began his day with an early morning visit to Jallianwala Bagh and placed a wreath at the Flame of Liberty.

Dr Singh reached the Golden Temple at 0715 hrs, amid tight security and prayed for peace and prosperity of the nation.

He remained there for about half-an-hour and offered prayers and listened to 'Shabad kirtan'.

He was accompanied by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Avtar Singh Makkar and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and some of his cabinet colleagues.

The Prime Minister was honoured with the 'Siropa' (robe of honour) by Giani Gurbachan Singh, Head Granthi of the Golden Temple.

Later, Mr Singh was presented with another Siropa and a replica of the Golden Temple by the SGPC chief outside the Golden Temple Information office.

On the occasion, the SGPC also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister which among other things, requested Dr Singh's intervention to get the death sentence of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorist Davinderpal Singh Bhullar commuted to life imprisonment in the case of attack on former All India Youth Congress AIYC chief Maninderjit Singh Bitta in the mid 1990's in which many security personnel were killed.

The SGPC also demanded stern punishment for those who were involved in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, return of valuable manuscripts and historical and rare documents taken away by the security forces during the ''Operation Blue Star'', control of the bi-weekly Amritsar-Nankana Sahib and Amritsar-Lahore bus services and to ensure the release of all Sikhs detained in prisons across the border.

Mr Makkar during his brief interaction with Dr Singh also brought up the issue of 'kirpans' (swords) being carried by baptised Sikhs on international flights.

The Prime Minister assured that the demands will be considered sympathetically.

The prime Minister's main engagement was at Ranjit Avenue where at a rally organised by the ruling Congress government, he launched a number of development projects through remote control.

He also handed over the 18th century majestic Gobindgarh Fort to the civil administration as he took the keys from Panthers Division commander Maj Gen K M S Shergill and gave them to Deputy Commissioner K S Bhullar.

The 35-km four-laning project estimated to cost Rs 205.88 crore is expected to facilitate import-export trade through the Wagah road joint check post with Pakistan.

The multi-crore Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) will greatly improve civic amenties in the Holy City which is visited by pilgrims from all over the world, around the year.

The Rs 3000-crore ambitious Goindwal Power Project is a joint venture of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) and GVK Power Ltd and envisions power sharing on a long term basis for a period of 25 years.

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