Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday asserted that his government is creating employment opportunities within Punjab, enabling young people to build their future at home rather than being forced to migrate abroad, while citing 70,000 government jobs, the transformation of government schools that helped 882 students clear NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test) this year, and crores of rupees being invested in village development as evidence of Punjab’s changing fortunes.
During a ‘Lok Milni’ programme at Kamalpur village in Ludhiana’s Jagraon constituency, the Chief Minister handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh to the village Sarpanch for comprehensive development works, reiterated his government’s commitment to farmers and women, and hit out at Congress and Akali leaders for fighting over power instead of working for Punjab’s progress. He also referred to the filing of a chargesheet against Akali Dal (Badal) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, asserting that it would become difficult for him to escape accountability.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, during the ‘Lok Milni’ programme at Kamalpur village in the Jagraon Assembly constituency of Ludhiana, I interacted with a large gathering of people and handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh to the Sarpanch for the comprehensive development of the village. Coming from an ordinary farming family myself, I understand the challenges faced by farmers. That is why we have started providing electricity to agricultural tubewells during the day instead of at night, to save farmers from unnecessary hardship. Mothers and sisters should also keep their bank accounts and ATMs ready, as the Sanman Rashi will soon be credited to their accounts. While the opposition is busy fighting among itself for positions and power, our only goal is the progress and prosperity of Punjab.”
Addressing a large gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Those who have defamed Punjab, a state renowned as the land of generals and sportspersons, by associating it with drugs will have to pay for their sins. A 40,000-page chargesheet has been filed against the main kingpin, who had allowed drugs to be smuggled in his official cars during his heyday. These people, who plundered the state’s wealth and ruined the lives of its youth, are hand in glove with each other and must be held accountable for their actions.”
Taking a dig at political leaders who, he said, are united in protecting their own interests, the Chief Minister pointed out that while these leaders came together socially, they continued to make divisive statements and create discord among people for political gains.
Targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann questioned its understanding of Punjab’s geography and language, taking a swipe at the Badal family’s political heir over his command of Punjabi. “Leaders who remain disconnected from the state’s language and ground realities can not effectively represent its people,” he affirmed.
Launching a sharp attack on the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the party is struggling because its leaders are more interested in becoming Chief Minister than serving the public. Leaders of the Congress, Akali Dal and BJP shared a common objective of removing him from office because his government had prioritised public welfare,” he said.
“Congress, Akali and BJP leaders never miss an opportunity to target me and even my family, but they rarely speak against one another. Their common agenda is to dislodge me because we are working for the people of Punjab. My greatest strength is the support of the people, and with that strength, we will continue to defeat those who work against Punjab’s interests,” he said.
Recalling the tenure of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people had rejected a government that remained disconnected from their everyday problems. He asserted that political power must be used to serve the public rather than protect privilege or accumulate wealth.
Highlighting his government’s employment record, the Chief Minister said more than 70,000 government jobs had been provided to young people solely on merit, without any payment or political recommendation. “Earlier, young people were forced to look for opportunities abroad because they could not find employment in Punjab, and government jobs were often associated with money and influence. Today, merit is the only route to securing a government job in Punjab. Our youth are getting opportunities through a transparent recruitment process, without paying a single penny or seeking recommendations,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government is working to create an environment in which young people could build their future in Punjab instead of being compelled to migrate in search of employment. “Punjab’s development strategy focuses on expanding opportunities, strengthening public services and ensuring that government resources reach ordinary families,” he added.
Describing education as the most effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty, the Chief Minister said 882 students from Punjab government schools had cleared the NEET examination in the latest results, compared with just 80 in 2021. “More than 30 lakh students appear for NEET across the country every year. The fact that 882 students from our government schools have cleared the examination reflects the progress being made in improving the quality of public education. We want children from ordinary families to have the same opportunities to become doctors and professionals as those studying in the most expensive private institutions,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that free facilities or welfare cards alone could not permanently lift families out of poverty, stressing that quality education was essential to creating lasting opportunities and social mobility. He said the state government is investing public money in strengthening schools and improving access to education.
The Chief Minister said more than 90% of households in Punjab are receiving free electricity and that farmers are now being provided electricity during the daytime, reducing the hardships associated with irrigating fields at night.
“Our government has also improved roads, closed toll plazas that were costing commuters money, strengthened healthcare facilities and invested in village infrastructure. The closure of toll plazas, he added, was saving commuters approximately ₹70 lakh every day. Every rupee collected through taxes belongs to the people. Our responsibility is to use that money honestly and judiciously for their welfare. The people’s money must return to them through better schools, hospitals, roads, electricity and development works,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added that grants are being provided for village development and that the government is working to ensure that rural communities received the infrastructure and facilities they needed.
Emphasising the role of sports in combating drug abuse, the Chief Minister said 3,100 sports stadiums were being constructed across Punjab to encourage young people to participate in sports and pursue healthier futures.
He said investment in sports infrastructure would help provide village youth with better facilities, encourage sporting talent and create positive alternatives for young people vulnerable to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister said the state government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna to provide cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family, with the objective of reducing the financial burden of healthcare on residents.
He described the scheme as a major step towards ensuring wider access to quality medical treatment, adding that families should not have to face financial distress when seeking healthcare. “Healthcare should not become a burden that pushes families into debt. Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, we are working to ensure that people can access treatment without having to worry about the cost,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said every eligible women aged 18 years and above are receiving financial assistance under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, with ₹1,000 per month for every woman from Punjab and ₹1,500 per month for Scheduled Caste women. “The assistance will be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts and that women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the scheme is expected to benefit 97% of women in Punjab and that ₹9,300 crore had been allocated in the state budget for its implementation.
He urged women to keep their bank accounts active and their banking details ready so that they could receive the assistance without difficulty.
Highlighting his government’s efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, the Chief Minister said canal water has reached the fields of 1,587 villages that had never previously received it. “Our government has spent ₹7,200 crore to expand canal irrigation and improve water availability for farmers. The area under canal irrigation has increased from 26% to more than 80% since his government took office. In 2022, canal water reached 20.89 lakh acres, while the figure had now risen to 60.30 lakh acres.”
He added that approximately 45,000 kilometres of roads were being renovated and upgraded to improve connectivity and facilitate movement across the state.
Concluding his address, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that his government’s focus remained on public welfare, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture and rural development. He said the people of Punjab would continue to support work that improved their lives and strengthened the state’s future.
