Announcing a slew of measures for the Christian community ahead of the 2017 polls, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday said that the State Government would start a special train for them next year so that they could visit a sacred place near Chennai.
Besides, he also announced to set up Christian graveyards in rural and urban areas of the State where Christians are in a majority — a long pending demand of the community.
For the same, the State Government would purchase the land if there will be no land available in some areas to construct Christian graveyards.
Sukhbir’s announcements came during a state-level Christmas function at Jhabal village in Tarn Taran district.
Describing Punjab as a land of peace and communal harmony, Sukhbir said that it is always the State Government’s endeavour to maintain communal amity between people of all religions.
Deputy Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs50 crore for the purpose of concretisation of streets and drains in Tarn Taran city. He also announced Rs32 crore financial grant for ‘deras’ and ‘dhaanis’ falling in Tarn Taran district.
He announced Rs3 crore for the development of Jhabal and Rs25 lakh for the community hall (Masihi Bhawan) in Jhabal.