AMRITSAR, Sept 20: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said his party was firm on the issue of Udham Singh Nagar and were in constant touch with the Centre. Replying to the question of withdrawing support to the Central Government if their demand was not conceded, Badal said this decision would be taken by political affairs committee.Badal said that his SAD MPs would abstain from voting in the Parliament in opposition to the Bill on formation of new hill state of Uttaranchal if the BJP government decided to include Udham Singh Nagar in it as the UP Assembly has left the matter to the Centre.He pointed out that the new hill state was being formed in accordance with the wishes of the people and as such the Centre should also take care of the wishes of local people of Udham Singh Nagar who are against its inclusion in the new hill state.Badal today accused the Congress of adopting double standards on exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar from Uttaranchal state.Talking to newsmen here, Badal said letPPCC president Amarinder Singh clarify which way his party would vote when legislation will be presented in the state Assembly and Parliament.Badal also said his government would consider the point raised by Justice Kuldip Singh (retd) about bringing an amendment to enable State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to admit time barred cases of police atrocities.Kuldip Singh had yesterday blamed Badal for misrepresenting facts on People's Commission by stating that cases of police excesses during the militancy period should be filed before SHRC. He had pointed out that commission could not entertain cases older than one year.Talking about the long standing demands of Punjab, Badal denied that his government had abandoned old demands and said they were pursuing the demands with the Centre.Badal said the upgradation of the Raja Sansi (Amritsar) airport to match up to international standards would definitely boost the State's economy. The government was consulting agricultural experts on increasing theproduction of fruits and vegetables in the state.
