BJP, Cong workers squabble as Sampla, Bittu share stage

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, June 30

State BJP president and Union Minister Vijay Sampla and Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu today shared the stage at a camp organised by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment to distribute tricycles, wheel chairs, callipers and hearing aids to physically challenged persons.

Even though Sampla and Bittu apparently got together in a cheerful mood, workers of the two parties had a tiff over putting up party flags inside and outside the venue on the Tibba Road here.

While the Congress workers claimed that the camp was planned by Bittu long ago and the BJP “hijacked” the function, the BJP workers asserted that it was a government function and the Union Minister of the department concerned should preside over.

The workers were later pacified following intervention by leaders of the two parties.

Terming the physically challenged persons as “divyang”, Sampla said these persons were an integral part of society and had to be taken along for the overall development of the nation. He said under a new scheme launched by the government, they were entitled to a cash assistance of Rs25,000 for purchasing a motorcycle. Further assistance of Rs10,000 could be made available by elected representatives from out of their funds.

Tricycles, wheel chairs, callipers, hearing aids and other material were distributed to around 2,300 persons at the camp.

Speaking at the occasion, Bittu said it would be his endeavour to ensure that not a single physically challenged person remained devoid of taking the benefit of government policies. “We shall continue to hold such camps with the help of Centre,” he added.