Putting the opposition on the back foot in the state legislative assembly, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training and Industries & Commerce Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that the state has provided over 68000 Government Jobs and attracted investments worth ₹1,83,837 crore and generated 6,36,636 private sector jobs over the last four-and-a-half years.

Winding up the discussion on a resolution on employment opportunities moved by MLA S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal in the House, on Wednesday, Mr. Aman Arora told the House that the investment inflows had directly and indirectly created over 6.36 lakh jobs in the private sector. He cited the example of Japanese steel major AICHI Steel, which scaled up its planned investment from ₹500 crore to ₹1,100 crore after being impressed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government’s facilitation and ease of doing business.

Catching the Congress MLA Hardev Singh Laddi Sherowalia off guard on charge that no one from Shahkot assembly constituency got a government job, Mr Aman Arora challenged him to convene a gathering in his Shahkot constituency. “I will come and we will ask the people if they got jobs. If I am wrong, I will resign as minister and MLA. If I am right, then Laddi should resign,” he said. MLA Laddi didn’t accept the challenge and walked away.

He asserted that all government jobs had been given on merit, without any bribe or recommendation.

Mr. Aman Arora highlighted the state government’s record push for skill development, noting that the state budget had allocated ₹25 crore for the Skill Development Mission for the first time in 75 years, up from ₹10 crore previously. He claimed over 22 lakh youth had been facilitated through placement camps and handholding exercises. At a recent mega job fair in Sunam, 61 companies participated and issued on-the-spot job letters to nearly 700 youth.

The Employment Generation minister further shared that the state government was setting up a ₹100-crore world-class Sant Attar Singh Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in Sangrur district– the first of its kind globally – to train 500 youth annually for officer-level positions in the armed forces.

Citing central government data, Mr. Aman Arora said Punjab’s unemployment rate among the 15-29 age group had dropped from 19.1 per cent in 2022 to 17 per cent in 2025, and referenced the Periodic Labour Force Survey which placed Punjab among states with improved employment metrics.

Drawing a global analogy, he said India’s GDP was slightly higher than China’s at the time of Independence. “China put every hand to work and became the world’s factory. In the near future, China may surpass the US. We have the same capacity, but the right environment was missing. We are now correcting that,” he said.

The Cabinet Minister stressed that no government in the world could guarantee a job to every citizen, asserting that the real duty of a government was to create a conducive ecosystem for industry and employment. “We are not here to just give numbers. We are creating an atmosphere where every youth can stand on his own feet,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition’s demand for a white paper, he said, “The best, cheapest and most sustainable white paper is to ask the people directly. File an RTI or hold a public meeting. Let the people tell you if they got jobs.”

Mr. Aman Arora lashed out at the previous Congress government over its “Har Ghar Naukri” promise, calling it the “biggest fraud” on Punjab’s youth. He asserted that the AAP government had provided nearly 70,000 government jobs in a transparent manner, without any quid pro quo. He reiterated that the government’s sole objective was to make Punjab a model for ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and generate dignified, skill-based employment.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, on Wednesday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and strongly reiterated the long-pending demand to declare the Banga–Garhshankar–Sri Anandpur Sahib–Naina Devi Road as a National Highway. During the meeting, Kang discussed the strategic, religious and economic importance of the road and urged the Union Government to expedite the project.

Kang said that the proposed National Highway is not merely a road infrastructure project but a lifeline for lakhs of people across the region. He pointed out that the road connects Sri Anandpur Sahib, one of Sikhism’s holiest pilgrimage sites where Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699, with Mata Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims, devotees and tourists travel on this route.

The AAP MP further stated that the road also serves thousands of daily commuters, farmers, traders and transporters while connecting Punjab with Himachal Pradesh. Upgrading it to National Highway status would greatly improve connectivity, facilitate safer and smoother transportation, boost religious tourism, strengthen trade and commerce, and accelerate economic development across the region.

Kang noted that despite earlier approvals and announcements, including the foundation stone laid in 2019, the project has witnessed no meaningful progress over the years. He urged the Union Government to fulfil its commitment by declaring the route a National Highway and bringing it under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for its timely development and maintenance.

Expressing satisfaction over the meeting, Kang said that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave a positive assurance and acknowledged the importance of the long-pending demand. He expressed hope that the Centre would take concrete steps to move the project forward at the earliest.

Reaffirming his commitment to the people of the Sri Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, Kang said he would continue to pursue the matter until the region receives the modern road infrastructure it rightfully deserves. “Better connectivity is the foundation of development, and I will continue raising the voice of the people until this crucial demand is fulfilled,” he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday reiterated the firm commitment of his government to ensure the holistic development of the Kandi and Border areas of the state. Chairing a meeting of the Border and Kandi Area Development Board, the Chief Minister directed officers to make concerted efforts to promote tourism in the Kandi region and accelerate the overall development of these areas.

Calling for focused efforts to promote tourism in the Kandi region, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Kandi area has immense potential to emerge as an ideal tourist destination, attracting visitors from across the globe. The state government is making all-out efforts to further develop this region and harness its vast tourism potential.”

Highlighting the region’s untapped strengths, the Chief Minister said, “Due to the negligence of successive state governments, the Kandi region lagged behind in the pace of development. However, our government has made strenuous efforts to unlock its immense tourism potential and attract visitors to its natural beauty. This region is blessed with abundant natural resources that can draw tourists from across the world.”

Emphasising the government’s development agenda, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government is laying major thrust on promoting economic activity in the region to transform the lives of the people. The day is not far when, after upgrading the infrastructure, this region will emerge as a major tourist hub of the country. No stone is being left unturned to develop the region and modernise its infrastructure.”

He said, “The state government is making strenuous efforts for the development of the border districts as well. The residents of these districts are brave people who have always safeguarded the unity and sovereignty of the country. This land has been blessed by the great Gurus and is inhabited by hardworking and courageous people.”

Underscoring the government’s commitment to border residents, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Despite producing great patriots and nationalists, this region did not witness the development it deserved during previous regimes. Our government has made every effort to give a major fillip to its development. We remain fully committed to the welfare of the people living in the border areas, who are true patriots and have always stood by the nation and its people.”

Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.