Patiala: Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said Punjab Congress MP’s should demand a special package from the centre for preservation of heritage buildings and promotion of its rich culture and art by rising above party lines. Inaugurating a two day Seminar-cum- workshop organized at A heritage hotel here today the Bathinda MP said the Punjab Congress mps could raise this issue jointly also in the Lok Sabha. 

Speaking at the seminar organized by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, she said that the states were not able to spend much on the maintenance of heritage buildings due to limited resources. Mrs. Badal said Punjabon its part had taken concrete steps to promote tourism, culture and handicraft in the state and a new tourism policy was also being implemented. She said self help groups were also being set up in rural areas to revitalizePhulkari, Daryian, Chikkoo, Changera and Juti making art forms.

The MP said an Endeavour was also being made to ensure artisans practising traditional art forms fetched remunerable prices for their products. Replying to a query about the preservation of historical buildings of Patiala Mrs. Badal said the State had taken concrete steps in this direction and was spending Rs 8 Crores on the repair work of Quila Mubarak, Nabha. She also criticised local MP & Central Minister Mrs. Preneet Kaur and her husband former CM Mr. Amarinder Singh for not paying any attention to preservation of the city's heritage and culture. Praising the initiative to organize such seminars and workshops she said these would provide a platform for artisans to promote and market their products more effectively. EOM 

During seminar Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha briefed that for promotion of the craft sector in Punjab state ‘Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board’ (PHTPB) organized a two day seminar-cum-workshop, at Patiala which is the heart of Punjab’s traditional craft activities. She said that PHTPB has laid strong emphasis on capacity building of public and private sector experts as well as community development. This approachhelps bring together renowned professionals, designers, entrepreneurs, NGOs and policy-makers as well as community representatives. This will help identify best practices, create innovative solutions and forge new partnerships between creative and strategic minds she told.

Rural Development & Pancahyat Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Member Proposal Approval Committee National Skill Development corporation Mr. Krishan Kalra, MD Industry Craft Foundation Ms. Neelam Chibber, Joint Sectary Textiles GOI Mrs. Monika S. Garg also spoke on the occasion. On the first day, there were presentations by designers, entrepreneurs and institutions outlining the market trends, linkages and potentials for the craft industry ofPunjab. During the seminar there was also an exhibition and workshop where artisans / craftsmen have showcased their products and manufacturing techniques.

Former SGPC President Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, MLA Shutrana Mrs. Vaninder Kaur Lumba, Mr. Charnjit Singh Rakhra, Mayor Mr. Amrinder Singh Bajaj, District Planning Committee Chairman Mr. Deepinder Singh Dhillon, Zilla Prishad Chairman Mr. Jaspal Singh Kalyan, Secretary Tourism Mrs. Raji P Srivastva, Director Tourism Mr. Navjot Singh Randhawa, PHTPB ED Mr. VV Kumar, DC Patiala Mr. GK Singh, SSP Mr. HS Mann, several designers, entrepreneurs, professionals, NGOs as well as artisans from various districts in Punjab were also present at the workshop.