Chandigarh, Dec 13 (IANS) Amritsar Lok Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu Sunday urged the government to grant heritage status to Punjab’s Sikh holy city Amritsar.
“Amritsar is a city of historical, cultural and religious importance. Many such cities in the world enjoy privileged status but we are still struggling for it,” the cricketer-turned-politician told reporters here.

“We are not fighting for this status just to have additional funds but because it is a matter of pride for everyone. This is one issue on which even many Congress leaders are supporting us.”

A forceful demand for declaring Amritsar a heritage city was rejected in the Lok Sabha Friday. The government said there was no legal provision for this either in India or under the UNESCO guidelines.

“The concerned minister has all the powers to make amendments to accommodate a city in any category based on its merits. The population of Amritsar is around 10.03 lakh,” said Sidhu.