Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday asked Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to ensure free pilgrimage to Sri Kartarpur Sahib on the pattern of similar service provided to pilgrims under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme by Parkash Singh Badal during previous SAD-BJP tenure in the State.
Harsimrat said that the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme under Parkash Singh Badal facilitated travel of pilgrims by bus to Sri Darbar Sahib besides travel by special trains to Nanded Sahib, Patna Sahib, Varanasi and Ajmer. “The scheme was scrapped when the Congress Government took over the reins of the State. This scheme needs to be revived to allow the Punjab Government to absorb the service charge of 20 dollars imposed by the Pakistan Government on all pilgrims wishing to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib during the 550th parkash purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev,” she added.
She said other State Governments were also facilitating travel of pilgrims to various religious places in the country. “The Congress Government should take up responsibility for paying 20 dollars charge which the Pakistan Government is insistent on charging from each pilgrim,” she said adding that this would go a long way in ensuring the pilgrimage is within the reach of the under privileged sections of society.
At the same time, she urged the Pakistan Government to reconsider its decision to waive off 20 dollars service charge. “Pakistan Prime minister Imran Khan’s statement that the service charge as well as creation of a religious hub will result in earning of foreign exchange for his country is quite shocking.
Pakistan should not seek to profit from piety. It should not try to earn money from the aashtha of the pilgrims which amounts to disrespecting the sentiments of the Sikh community which is known for its service to humanity across the world,” she added.