Punjab govt declares holiday on Friday as mark of respect to Vajpayee

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, V.P. Singh Badnore on Thursday expressed his heartfelt condolences over the demise of former Prime Minister and  veteran leader of Bhartiya Janta Party, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In his condolence message, Badnore termed Vajpayee as a legend of the Indian Polity who belonged to the league of greatest Indians. In the death of Mr. Vajpayee the nation has lost a seasoned politician, a true statesman and above all a good human being. 

As a mark of respect, the Punjab Government has declared that all its offices, boards, corporations and other public sector undertakings besides educational institutions would remain close on Friday. The state government has also declared mourning in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the lines of Government of India.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as a towering personality who would always remained a beacon to inspire the young politicians to tread the path of value-based politics.

In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said that Atal ji was a multifaceted personality and a fine human being with the qualities of the head and heart.

Capt Amarinder Singh termed him as a "true statesman, a great scholar, an eminent poet besides a heartthrob of millions of countrymen." 

Vajpayee's stint as Prime Minister would be remembered by one and all for his path-breaking initiatives viz Pradhanmantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Sarv Siksha Abhiyan, Telecom Revolution and introduction of Fiscal Responsibility Act, which transformed the destiny of India.

Recalling his personal ties with Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said, "As Prime Minister. Atal ji had extremely cordial and warm relations with all the Chief Ministers irrespective of their party affiliations and treated them equally without any prejudice of regionalism.