CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister  Parkash Singh Badal Friday directed the Excise & Taxation department to grant exemption of VAT on the construction material and ration items used for the community kitchen (Langar) and Parshad prepared in Sri Durgiana Mandir Amirtsar on the pattern of exemption already granted to the Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar.  

This decision was taken in the meeting with the members of the Durgiana Mandir committee led by MLA Amritsar Anil Joshi with Chief Minister here at Punjab Bhawan.   Conceding the other demands, the Chief Minister also asked the DGP to depute SSP to examine the feasibility of handing over the Police Chowki within the complex of Sri Durgina Mandir.   The Mandir committee requested for the use of displace for the construction of dharmshala.   

The Chief Minister also asked the local government PIDB to put up a proposal for extension of elevated road project upto the Goal Bagh near Sri Durgiana Mandir to facilitate the devotees for hassle free approach to the temple.  

The Chief Minister also asked the local government department for setting up of water treatment plant in the premises of temple for the cleaning of Sarovar (holy tank).   The Chief Minister also assured the members of the committee that their other genuine demands would also be looked into sympathetically. 

Prominent amongst others who were also present included President Harnam Dass Arora, Secretaries Satpal Mahajan and Harish Taneja, Manager Ramesh Sharma and Sanghrakshak Ram Parkash Chopra of Sri Durgiana Mandir Committee.