TWO FUNCTIONS have been organised by the SAD-BJP government to celebrate Christmas in Punjab and that, too, 10 days in advance. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal took part in the state-level Christmas celebration in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur district, on December 13. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia participated in another state-level celebration in Amritsar on Thursday.

Punjab government formed the Christian Welfare Board in June. Its first president, Amandeep Gill, claimed that development has nothing to do with the upcoming Assembly election. “I do not remember when a state-level function was organised twice in previous years. But it has nothing to do with Assembly elections,” he said.

According to Majithia, the state government has been celebrating Christmas since 1997. Earlier, it used to be celebrated one or two days in advance or post-Christmas. This year, the government is celebrating it 10 days in advance.

When asked if it is to avoid code of conduct for Assembly elections, Gill said, “It has nothing to do with code of conduct. We had to celebrate it and it is good that we have celebrated in advance as everybody is busy with family and friends around Christmas.”

Addressing a rally on the occasion, Sukhbir said, “Only the SAD-BJP government has the interests of all sections of society at heart, especially minorities. The Punjab government has constituted Christian Development Board to look after the well-being of the community. Five marla plots would be provided to the homeless among the Christian community regarding which instructions have been given to concerned officials. A member of the Christian community would be included in the grievance committees of the district. The community would not face any difficulty in procuring BC category certificate and all the deputy commissioners have been instructed to ensure that.”

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