Punjab gives Rs 5 lakh to Surjeet Singh, govt job to his son as aid

Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Thursday gave Rs five lakh as financial assistance to Surjeet Singh, who spent almost 30 years of his life in a Pakistan jail, and a government job to his son.

A cheque of Rs five lakh was handed over to Singh by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as financial assistance when the former along with his son Kulwinder Singh, called on him at his official residence here this morning.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon was also present at the meeting, an official spokesman said.

Expressing gratitude, Surjeet said he was indebted to the state government for extending the much-needed support.

During the meeting, the chief minister felicitated Singh for rendering great service to the nation and assured him that the state government was committed to extending all possible help for the rehabilitation of his family within the legal framework.

He also apprised Singh that as desired by his family the state government has decided to give a regular job to his son Kulwinder Singh according to his educational qualifications so that his family could benefit from it.

The chief minister lamented that it was unfortunate that though Surjeet Singh had languished in jails of Pakistan for the cause of the nation, the Centre has made no efforts for his rehabilitation, the spokesman said.

Expressing gratitude to the chief minister, Singh said that he was indebted to the state government for extending the much-needed support to him and his family.

Singh, who has served a life term in Pakistan following his arrest on charges of spying in the 1980s, was released from the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on June 28 and handed over to authorities at the Wagah border.

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