Bestow 'Fakhr-e-Quam' on Manmohan Singh: Cong to Akal Takht, Badal

The Congress on Sunday asked Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to bestow 'Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Quam' award on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the upcoming 350th anniversary celebrations of Anandpur Sahib.

The Congress on Sunday asked Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to bestow 'Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Quam' award on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the upcoming 350th anniversary celebrations of Anandpur Sahib.

Requesting Badal to invite Manmohan Singh to the mega event that would also be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MLA Sukhjidner Singh Randhawa, in a letter to Badal, highlighted the former PM's "outstanding contribution and glorious services in the field of politics and economics".

"Manmohan Singh has brought glory to the community as he is the first Sikh to become a Prime Minister. He has performed exceptionally in every sphere," Randhawa said.

"Such is his expertise that Manmohan Singh was consulted by successive US Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama to tide over economic recession," Randhawa wrote in his letter.

Randhawa also reminded the Punjab chief minister of Manmohan Singh government's contribution towards Punjab's development. "Though you (Badal) have always criticised Manmohan Singh for political gains, you are well aware that he has doled out huge funds for Punjab's development. He accepted all your demands, including nod to Bathinda oil refinery, setting up IIT, IIM and Central University in the state and doubling the minimum support price of wheat and rice during his tenure," Randhawa said.

"In sharp contrast, the one-year rule of the NDA regime has given nothing to Punjab", he said.