Chandigarh: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday unanimously passed the resolution rejecting the Ministry of Home Affairs’ order on increasing jurisdiction of the BSF.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa moved the official resolution to reject the Central government notification extending the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 km to 50 km. BJP MLAs Arun Narang and Dinesh Babbu left the House just before the resolution was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha.
The resolution says, “Punjab is a land of martyrs and the brave. Punjabis have made exemplary sacrifices in our Country’s freedom struggle and later on in the wars of 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999 Punjabis have received the highest number of “Gallantry Awards” in the Country.
Punjab Police is a unique patriotic force that has contributed immensely in maintaining the unity and integrity of the Country. As per the Constitution of India, maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the State Government and for this purpose Government of Punjab is fully competent.
The decision of extending the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 KM to 50 KM by the Union Government is an expression of distrust towards the State Police and the People of Punjab. This is their insult too. The Union Government should have consulted the State Government before taking such a major decision. The law and order situation in Punjab is totally under control and there is no need to extend the jurisdiction of BSF.
This is a gross violation of the spirit of federalism enshrined in the Constitution of India. Extending the jurisdiction of BSF is also symbolic of petty politics.
All the political parties of Punjab have unanimously condemned this decision of the Union Government and have demanded the Union Government should withdraw the October 11, 2021 notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Therefore, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously resolves that a resolution rejecting the notification of the Central Government in this regard may be passed.”
