Cong MLA flays govt move to build cricket stadium at Bathinda

Jalandhar, Oct 12 (UNI) Congress MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira today termed the Punjab government's move to acquire 29 acres of PAU's (Punjab Agricultureal University) Regional Research Centre land at Bathinda for Cricket Stadium anti-farmer and aimed at destroying research work being done in the field of agriculture.

Mr Khaira while talking to media persons here alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) acting president Sukhbir Singh Badal pressurized the Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana to transfer Regional Research Centre's 29 acres land at Bathinda to Bathinda District Cricket Associaiton for a Cricket Stadium.

He said Punjab already had two International Cricket Stadiums in Mohali and Chandigarh.

''As the state is passing through serious agrarian crisis and farmers are committing suicides and were finding it difficult to sustain economically.''he said adding that in such cirumstances, an important research centre working in the field of agriculture should not be destoryed.

Mr Khaira also criticised the move to repeal the Punjab Land Preservation ACT of 1990 by certain influential politicians and officers for their own benefit, which he said, would lead to de-forestation.

UNI