Badal hits out at Cong over HSGPC issue

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today alleged that the move to constitute a separate committee in Haryana for managing affairs of gurdwaras in the state is the "latest step" of the Congress to "divide the Sikh community".
The chief minister was addressing a gathering during a state-level function on the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh here today, where he lashed out at the Congress party for allegedly "meddling in the affairs of the Sikhs."
"The move to constitute separate committee in Haryana for managing the affairs of Gurdwaras in the state is the latest step of the Congress to divide the Sikh brethren in the country," he alleged.

Haryana Assembly at its session here on July 11 passed the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Bill 2014 to which the outgoing Governor Jagan Nath Pahadia gave his assent on July 14 despite opposition from SGPC leaders from Punjab.
Later the state government constituted a 41-member ad hoc Committee which would remain in place till the time elections to the HSGPC (Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee) are not held.
The issue of constitution of HSGPC has drawn opposition from some quarters.

Addressing reporters, Badal, to a question, also refuted that any industrial unit was moving out of Punjab to neighbouring states due to lack of industry-friendly policies here.

He also said the state government has made all-out efforts for delivering corruption-free administration for the people.
"We are making all out efforts for delivering corruption-free administration to the people," he said, adding the state government has ensured 100 per cent transparency in the recruitment for the government jobs.
He said if any case of corruption was brought to his notice, strict action would be taken against the person found guilty.
On the problems of drug menace in the state, the chief minister said the Punjab government has declared a "crusade" against drugs in the state and concerted efforts were afoot to wipe out this curse.