Plans for inter-jail sports tourney: Minister

Ashok Kaura

Phagwara, February 17

Outlines plans for jail reforms, says kartarpur corridor will remain unafffected by Pulwama terror attack

To reform the jail inmates by involving them in sports, Punjab Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa today said the state government was planning to start inter-jail sports tournaments in the state .

The minister, who was in village Rurka-kalan near Goraya to preside over a kabaddi tournament, said sports could act as a catalyst in transforming the personality of an individual. He said the state government was exploring the feasibility of organising an inter-jail sports tournaments in Punjab to channelise the energy of the inmates in a positive direction. Randhawa said it would help in reforming the jail inmates on the one hand and eliminating drug menace on the other.

According to Randhawa, the NRIs, who were already playing a major role in the promotion of sports, would also be roped in as part of the scheme. He said the NRIs would be asked to adopt jails across the state and promote sports in them, so as to transform the inmates. He said the state government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was committed to give a major boost to sporting activities in the region.

Later, interacting with the media persons, the minister, while condemning the barbaric attack on the CRPF personnel at Pulwama, said the Government of India must give a befitting reply to the perpetrators of this heinous act. He said it was high time that forces behind this shameless act were taught an exemplary lesson, adding that this was an attack on the sovereignty of the country and was completely intolerable.

However, the minister said the attack would have no impact on the construction of Kartarpur Sahib corridor. He said the decision to construct the corridor has been taken by the governments of the two countries while respecting the sentiments of the entire Sikh community. He said the state government would soon start work on the construction of the corridor.

The minister also paid tributes to the freedom fighters from the Doaba region, who played a key role in freeing the country from British imperialism. He also lauded the role of NRIs in the promotion of sporting activities in the region. Randhawa also announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for the sports academy.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Phillaur, Varinder Pal Singh Bajwa and Deputy Superintendent of Police Amrik Singh Chahal were also present on the occasion.