INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
MAJITHIA HANDS OVER RS. 5 LAC BANK DRAFT TO KASHMIR SINGH
Chandigarh, July 29: Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Information & Public Relations Minister, Punjab today handed over three bank drafts totalling to Rs. 5.00 lac to Mr. Kashmir Singh, who was released from Pakistan Jail in March this year after languishing 35 years in different jails of Pakistan.
In a simple function organised here today Mr. Majithia handed over Rs. 5.00 lac collected for the family of Kashmir Singh by various NRI's at his initiative. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Majithia said that the release of Kashmir Singh by Pakistan Government was symbolic of beginning of new era of better ties between two neighbouring countries. He said that his release has depicted that both countries are now realising the value of human life and they are looking towards cordial future, putting the bitter memories of past behind.
He said that the freedom of Kashmir Singh from Pak jail came after untiring efforts of S. Parkash Singh Badal and S. Sukhbir Singh Badal and lot of well wishers of Kashmir Singh and our friends in Pakistan including Mr. Ansar Burney. Mr. Majithia said that the task that seemed impossible in the beginning got a kickstart when people of Pakistan also supported the release of Kashmir Singh and other innocent prisoners languishing in the various jails of Pakistan.
The Minister said that since SAD-BJP government took over the reins of power in Punjab S.Parkash Singh Badal has took various step to promote trade activity and people-to-people contact with Pakistani people. He said that with the opening of trade route with Pakistan through road via Attari Border, Pakistan Government was importing vegetables from Punjab to control the rates of vegetables in Pakistan. Similarly India imported Cement from Pakistan through road route ,stabilizing the Cement prises in India.
Mr. Majithia said that by strengthening the trade ties India and Pakistan can emerge as trading hub of South East Asia having its dominance in market in west as well as in Gulf Countries.
Mr. Majithia informed that Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has already issued a grant of Rs. 10.00 lac to Mr. Kashmir Singh immediately after his release. He has also been granted lifelong pension of Rs. 10,000/- per month besides job for his handicapped son. Mr. Majithia said that Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains had also given one residential plot to Kashmir Singh.
Mr. Kashmir Singh informed the Minister that he was facing problem in getting Passport to visit his daughter in Italy who was 2½ year old when he was arrested by Pakistan Authorities. He said that R.P.O Jalandhar has informed him his inability to issue him passport as he has not completed one year stay in India. Mr. Kashmir Singh regretted that on one hand Punjab government was offering him all help where as the attitude of Union Government was not helpful. Mr. Majithia promised that Chief Minister would take up this issue with Union External Affairs Minister to waive this condition for Kashmir Singh.
No.PR.2008/344