Punjab legislatures for cordial political atmosphere in state

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (UNI) Members of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, cutting across party lines today called for maintaing a cordial atmosphere on the political field as was exhibited yesterday at the PCA stadium at Mohali during the twenty-20 cricket match between the ruling SAD-BJP legislature party and the Opposition Congress.

"Sports activities can help create a better rapport between the ruling alliance and the opposition", Rana Sodhi (Cong) said during zero hour while refering to yesterdays encounter on the cricket field which was won by the SAD-BJP.

Avtar Brar (Cong) went a step further to suggest that the same cordial atmosphere should be maintained in the forthcoming match between the SAD-BJP and the Congress, that is in the elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) included the Panchayats to be held on April seven. " The bitterness between the two parties should come to an end", he added.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who was the non playing captain of the SAD-BJP cricket team congratulated members of both the teams. "No matter how many matches we play, the political rivalry will continue as the system is as such", he added.

The Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the Paralympic Committee of Punjab that had organised the match. He also announced that the cricket match between the ruling and opposition parties would now become an annual affair and for this a running trophy would be instituted. He also announced that gold (plated) medals would be awarded to the members of the winning team and silver medals to the losers.

Members also suggested that matches between the legislatures of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh should also be organised to bring the political leaders of the three states closer to each other.

"Perhaps such encounters will lessen the inter state tensions created by the river waters issue and others", a member suggested.

On the advice of Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Sports Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike moved a resolution expressing gratitude to the participants and organisers of yesterdays match. The resolution which was seconded by Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia was later unanimously passed by the House.

Mr Badal also congratulated PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, the man of the match, whose half century helped the ruling alliance clinch the match. On the suggestion of the members, the Speaker adjourned the House after the Supplementary Demands were passed.

UNI HS VN1430