Navjot Singh Sidhu releases vision document of local govt & Tourism & cultural affair dept
The Cabinet Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu today outlined his vision regarding the futuristic measures contemplated as well as the achievements of his both departments namely-Local Government and Tourism & Cultural Affairs. Concerning the Tourism and Cultural Affairs department, the minister said that the main motive is to connect the youth of Punjab to the glorious cultural and historical heritage of the state by forming a cultural movement. Mr. Sidhu further said that the e-Governance project aimed at providing better facilities to the people living the urban centres would be kickstarted in April, 2018 and would come to fruition in December, 2018. As many as 46 urban local bodies have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) till 31st December, 2017 and 100 more cities would be Open Defecation Free by 31st March, 2018 and all the cities would be ridden of the menace by 30th June. Disclosing more, Mr. Sidhu said that Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar are covered under smart city concerning which he met the Union Minister of State for Urban Development Mr. Hardeep Puri who immediately sanctioned Rs. 350 crore for the cities in which the Punjab component would be Rs. 50 crore. Touching another significant aspect, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that circuits are being formed to connect the historically and culturally important spots of Punjab in terms of tourism and Rs. 100 crore have been got sanctioned from the Union Government for religious circuit which comprises Sri Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib and Chamkaur Sahib. Apart from this, places associated with the freedom struggle namely- Jallianwala Bagh, Khatkar Kalan and Hussainiwala are also included in the circuit. A sum of additional Rs. 15 crore has been released for the Jang-E-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur. Batting for making Punjab a favourable destination for shooting movies, the minister said that a Film City would come up in Punjab which would go a long way in ensuring increased avenues of employment. It would also revive the otherwise neglected and dilapidated spots, which are crying over their fate owing to the callous attitude of the previous dispensation. The hotels, resorts and tourist spots connected with the department would be revamped and renewed efforts would be made to make Virsat-E-Khalsa the most visited museum in the country. Navjot Singh Sidhualso divulged that the 550th Gurpurb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019 would be observed on a large scale and in the same year the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy would be observed as per a specially chalked out programme and homage paid to the martyrs. Apart from this, Sufi Mela, Heritage Melas at Patiala, Kapurthala, Amritsar and Bathinda and Military Literature Festival would be held too. The other traditional and sports melas such as-Harvallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Hola Mohalla, Qila Raipur, Baba Sheikh farid aagman purb and Shiv Batalvi festival and Babe Da Viah purb would be held on a grand scale and given all assistance. Addressing on the occasion, the Chairman of the Punjab Kala Parishad Padamshri Surjit Patar said that the Kala parishad would take the cultural renaissance to the village level and hold art festivals in every village which would be witness to the Prabhat Pheri, Traditional Music, Folk Music and Cultural programmes. An Asian Poetry Festival would be held dedicated to the 550th Gurpurb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019. The minister also elaborated that a book would also be prepared to conserve the meaningful literature which would include creations of Baba Bulle Shah and famous poets/writers until now.
