Wrong to omit secularism, socialism in preamble: CM

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Phagwara, January 30

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has taken a stand contrary to some NDA leaders who have been advocating the use of old preamble minus the words “secularism” and “socialism” in the Constitution. He said there was no need even for a debate on the issue as the two words were an integral part of the Constitution.

Badal, during his visit to Mehta village here today for a Sangat Darshan programme, said, “Ours is a country represented by people from diverse religions, languages and customs. We ought to ensure communal harmony at all costs.” The issue came to limelight after the words were found missing in an ad issued by the Union Government on Republic Day.

On the demand by NDA constituent Shiv Sena to remove the words and a suggestion by Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to debate the issue, the Chief Minister said: “Any deviation from these two basic tenets of the Constitution will be against the interests of the country.”

Citing Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s example, Badal said even great monarchs like him had made the principle of secularism an essential part of their governance. “No country can survive without these doctrines as they firmly hold its social fabric together,” he said.

On an amendment in the Land Acquisition Act, being protested by the Congress and various farmer bodies, he tried to avoid a direct reply: “Development too is vital. The issue will be taken up with the authorities concerned.”

Taking a jibe at former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh over his demand for fiscal emergency in the state, Badal said rather than worrying about governance, the Congress MP should ensure discipline in his party, and set "his equations right" with the PPCC president. He said industrial incentives given to neighbouring states like Himachal had resulted in losses for Punjab.

The Chief Minister said he would soon meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to seek the release of pending Rs400 crore sanctioned by the 13th Finance Commission. He maintained funds sanctioned by constitutional bodies could not be denied to the states.

CM to seek explanation from Tarn Taran SSP

The CM said he would seek an explanation from the Tarn Taran SSP, Manmohan Kumar Sharma (46), who participated in an international badminton tournament at Iceland in violation of merit and age considerations. The SSP and a former referee, Apinder Sabharwal (49), had gone to participate in the tournament on the recommendations of the Badminton Association of India. But the duo reportedly only holidayed in Iceland, thus spoiling the chances of budding players.

Gandhi’s name missing in govt circular

Jalandhar: Though a two-minute silence was observed across the state to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation, on Friday, an official circular sent to all government departments did not mention his name. The circular, faxed by Punjab’s General Administration Department on Thursday, read that a two-minute silence be observed at 11 am in memory of the martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country. Officials said the circular should have at least mentioned Mahatma Gandhi’s name since the day is observed as Martyrs Day in his memory. — TNS