Punjab urges Centre for `2,145-cr aid : For celebration of 550th birth anniv of Guru Nanak

Chandigarh (PTI): To commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has sought an assistance of Rs 2,145.31 crore from the Centre for undertaking various infrastructural projects in towns and cities associated with the first Sikh Guru.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the state-level organising committee, has suggested that a national organising committee, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, be constituted to oversee the celebrations of this historic event across the country. 

The chief minister, who will be personally meeting the prime minister soon to discuss this issue, said that while a year-long calendar of events was being prepared for organising commemorative events across various states, the primary focus of the celebrations will be at places like Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), Dera Baba Nanak and Batala (Gurdaspur) that have had a deep association with the first Sikh Guru. 

Singh said that it would be in fitness of things that, as a part of these celebrations, the towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak, Batala and Guruharsahai, where some of the relics of Guru Nanak Dev are kept, be taken up for special infrastructural development as towns of religious and historical importance. 

Singh urged the Prime Minister that besides this, the Centre should also dedicate certain special projects in Punjab to commemorate the historic event. 

In a detailed memorandum, submitted along with his letter, the chief minister, as per an official release here, has sought Rs 875.03 crore for upgradation of infrastructure in the historic towns of Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak, Guruharsahai and Batala. 

The proposed works listed primarily pertain to upgradation of civic roads and bridges infrastructures in these towns.