Warm reception for Sukhpal Khaira MLA Bholath
by Indian National Overseas Congress at New York

An impressive public reception was held today in the honour of Mr. Sukhpal Khaira MLA Bholath currently on a tour of United States of America. This reception was held at Royal India Palace in New York by Indian National Overseas Congress which was attended by people cutting across political spectrum.

Mr. Khaira while speaking on the occasion stated that time had come to involve the NRI’s in the rebuilding process of Punjab. Mr. Khaira said that there were over five million Punjabi community spread across the globe. He said if the govt. of Punjab ensured respect, safety and protection of life and property of NRI’s they could invest immensely to improve the shattered economy of Punjab. Mr. Khaira said at present Punjab was under a staggering debt of over Rs. 70,000 crores. The govt. education system had collapsed and the 18397 govt. schools in the state were in shambles with people losing confidence in the system. Similarly the govt. health services too have flopped and have failed to offer medical aid to the poor and needy. The agrarian economy was also in doldrums with farmers under a heavy debt of Rs. 35,000 crores leading to spate of suicides by farmers. Mr. Khaira said if any one single political party and leader responsible for this mess that Punjab was to be pointed out it is none other than the SAD headed by Mr. Badal since he is Chief Minister for the fourth time during his political career that spans over 50 years.

Mr. Khaira further stated that if we had to resolve the unemployment issue of Punjab we have to go in for industrialization of the state and in this context he said lacs of NRI’s were willing to invest in Punjab provided the govt. gave a single window clearance for them to avoid red tapism, rampant corruption and the ‘Babu’ culture. There are many NRI’s who can invest in hundreds of crores in Punjab but for that we need a congenial atmosphere for them.

Speakers cutting across political lines gave arousing reception to Mr. Khaira had appreciated his role by opposing the anti-people policies of the rampantly corrupt SAD-BJP regime. They said Mr. Khaira was a young dynamic political personality with a vision who can take Punjab forward. The mood at the function was one of complete unanimity to uproot the family rule being perpetuated by the Badals in Punjab. Amongst those who participated were Mr. Phuman Singh President Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC), Mr. Mohinder Singh Gilzian General Secretary INOC, Mr. Jarnail Singh President Baba Makhan Singh Lubana Gurudwara New York, Mr. Himmat Singh Ex President Baba Makhan Singh Lubana Gurudwara New York, Sardar Harbans Singh Dhillon and Mr. Boparai of Sikh Cultural Society New York, Mr. Grewal Editor Sher-e-Punjab Newspaper, Mr. Gurmit Singh Editor Apana Punjab, Ajit Singh Sohi Editor Pardesh News, Mr. Bhambra President Ravidass Gurudwara New York, Mr. Amarjit Singh President Sach Khand Gurudwara, Mr. Jagir Singh Sabzi Mandi President Jackson Heights Merchants Association ,Mr. Ashok Kumar General Secretary Merchants Association Jackson Heights New York, , Sardar Jaswinder Singh Khak President NRI Sabha New York.