Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo decalred holy cities by Punjab govt; know what has changed
The Punjab government on Monday officially declared the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) in Bathinda district as the Holy Cities of the state and imposed far-reaching restrictions to protect their religious sanctity.
The Punjab government on Monday officially declared the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district and Talwandi Sabo (Sri Damdama Sahib) in Bathinda district as the Holy Cities of the state and imposed far-reaching restrictions to protect their religious sanctity.
An official notification from the Punjab Home Department stated that the decision has received the approval of the Governor of Punjab. As part of the move, various departments have been instructed to enforce the ban within notified limits in the three cities. According to the notification, the Excise Ministry has been directed to impose restrictions on the sale and consumption of liquor and related products within the walled city of Amritsar and the municipal limits of Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been directed to issue prohibitory orders on the sale and use of cigarettes, tobacco and other intoxicating substances in these areas. Additionally, the Animal Husbandry Department was requested to ban the sale and consumption of meat within the notified limits in holy cities. The Local Government Department, along with the Deputy Commissioners of Amritsar, Rupnagar and Bathinda, has been asked to take all necessary steps to ensure strict implementation of the orders.
The notification was signed by Alok Shekhar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and will be published in the Punjab Official Gazette. The decision is in line with earlier announcements made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said last month that Sri Anandpur Sahib would be developed as a heritage street city. Addressing a meeting here, Mann urged people to preserve the sanctity and spiritual character of the historic Sikh town.
His remarks came a day after a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly was held at Anandpur Sahib as part of the three-day commemoration ceremony marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. “A heritage street will be built in Anandpur Sahib. You will soon witness a major transformation in the city. Now it is our collective responsibility to preserve its sanctity,” he had said.
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