Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday asserted that Punjab is witnessing a historic and revolutionary transformation under the present state government as canal water has reached even the tail-end regions of the state for the first time, while uninterrupted daytime power supply is now being ensured for farmers across Punjab.
Addressing an unprecedented gathering during the ongoing ‘Shukrana Yatra’ at Mansa and Sardulgarh, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government is working with complete honesty, transparency and commitment to safeguard the interests of farmers, protect Punjab’s communal harmony and ensure exemplary punishment for those involved in sacrilege incidents. He said that for decades the people of Punjab had suffered due to the anti-people policies of previous governments, but now a new era of accountability, development and justice has begun in the state. Launching a blistering attack on opposition parties, Bhagwant Singh Mann said leaders of the Akali Dal and Congress had approached the High Court seeking cancellation of the stringent anti-sacrilege legislation because they wanted to save themselves and their political associates from the ambit of the law.
The Chief Minister said the Court not only dismissed their petitions but also imposed fines on the petitioners, thereby further strengthening the legal sanctity and constitutional validity of the legislation. He said Akali and Congress leaders approached the High Court because they were afraid of this law. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the know that the era of protecting sacrilege accused is over.
The Chief Minister said that this historic law has the approval of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Governor and the Court as well. Reiterating the firm commitment of his government to protect the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he declared that no accused in sacrilege cases would now be able to escape punishment by pretending mental illness or taking refuge behind fabricated excuses. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the newly enacted Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026 clearly stipulates life imprisonment for those found guilty of sacrilege and also provides stringent punishment for the handlers, protectors and conspirators behind such heinous acts.
Earlier, the Chief Minister said that the sacrilege accused would conveniently claim mental imbalance and walk free. He said that era is over forever and Anyone found guilty of desecration will face life imprisonment adding that even those sheltering or protecting such culprits will not be spared and can face imprisonment along with penalties up to Rs 50 lakh. Describing sacrilege incidents as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb peace, brotherhood and communal harmony in Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann said the law would serve as a historic deterrent and ensure that no one dares to repeat such crimes in future.
The Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is revered not only by Sikhs but by humanity across the globe, and protecting its sanctity is the collective responsibility of society. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had embarked upon the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ as a humble servant of Guru Sahib after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib to express gratitude to the Almighty for blessing him with the opportunity to enact this historic legislation. He said that only by the immense blessings of Guru Sahib was the Punjab Government has been able to fulfill the long-pending demand of millions of devotees across the world.
The Chief Minister said that he was nobody to pass this law as Guru Sahib himself has taken this service from me. He said that Such service is entrusted only to those whom the Almighty chooses adding that people from across the world are expressing immense happiness and gratitude over the enactment of the stringent legislation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said ghat he receives numerous calls daily from Punjabis settled abroad thanking the Punjab Government for this historic initiative.
Coming down heavily on previous governments, Chief Minister said that successive Congress and Akali governments deliberately failed to enact such legislation because they never wanted the real perpetrators of sacrilege incidents to be punished. He accused the Akali leadership of exploiting religion and emotions of people for political gains while failing to protect the dignity of Guru Sahib’s teachings. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they sought votes in the name of Baba Nanak but insulted Baba Nanak’s Bani adding that those who publicly admitted their mistakes before Akal Takht Sahib later denied them openly.
The Chief Minister said that those who can lie before the Takht can never remain loyal to anyone. He also said that some political forces are opposing the legislation only because their “political masters” are unhappy with the strict provisions of the law. Bhagwant Singh Mann termed it unfortunate that certain leaders are indulging in politics even on such a sensitive issue merely to protect vested interests.
The Chief Minister said that Some people know they may soon land behind bars for grave sins committed in the past adding that this is why they are desperately trying to oppose this law tooth and nail. Highlighting the pro-farmer initiatives of the Punjab Government, he said the state has achieved a historic breakthrough in irrigation reforms. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that when the AAP Government assumed office in 2022, only 21 percent canal water was being utilised for irrigation, but today that figure has risen to nearly 68 percent and is expected to touch 85 percent by the upcoming paddy season.
For the first time in Punjab’s history, the Chief Minister said that canal water has reached remote villages and tail-end regions that had remained deprived of irrigation facilities for decades. He said the Punjab Government has laid nearly 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and revived watercourses across the state to ensure water reaches every field. Bhagwant Singh Mann informed the gathering that nearly 21,000 cusecs of water have already been released through these pipelines and watercourses to cater to farmers’ irrigation requirements.
The Chief Minister described the volume of water released as equivalent to the supply of two Bhakra canals adding that this is not merely water flowing in canals but this is the lifeline of Punjab being revived. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab’s identity and future are intrinsically linked with water and we are duty-bound to protect it for future generations. He further said that recharge points created in canals and rivers have already helped improve groundwater levels by two to four metres in several areas, which would significantly reduce dependence on tube-wells and help save precious groundwater reserves.
In another major relief to farmers, Chief Minister
said the Punjab Government has ensured uninterrupted daytime power supply to farmers, thereby ending the decades-old practice of forcing farmers to irrigate fields during unsafe late-night hours. He said that earlier farmers had to spend sleepless nights in fields waiting for electricity supply but today our government is ensuring daytime power supply so that farmers can work with dignity and safety. Taking a dig at previous governments, Bhagwant Singh Mann held them responsible for promoting corruption, nepotism and loot while ignoring welfare of common people.
The Chief Minister said taxpayers’ money is now being spent honestly on development works, schools, hospitals, roads and welfare schemes rather than being siphoned off through commissions and corruption.
Highlighting achievements of the AAP Government, Bhagwant Singh Mann said more than 90 percent households in Punjab are receiving free electricity and over 65,000 youth have secured government jobs completely on merit and without paying bribes. He also said several toll plazas have been shut down across Punjab, saving nearly Rs 70 lakh daily for the people.
Simultaneously, the Chief Minister said that massive investments are being made in strengthening infrastructure, upgrading roads and modernising government institutions across the state. Announcing major welfare initiatives, Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government has launched the ‘Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna’ under which every woman in Punjab will receive Rs 1,000 per month while women belonging to Scheduled Castes will receive Rs 1,500 per month directly in their bank accounts. He said nearly 97 percent women of the state are expected to benefit from the scheme and the Punjab Government has already earmarked Rs 9,300 crore for it in the Budget.
The Chief Minister further highlighted the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’, under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. He said every family is entitled to free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh and more than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards. He added that nearly 1.65 lakh people have already availed free treatment under the scheme.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to fulfilling every promise made to the people in 2022 with complete honesty and sincerity. He said Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing quality free healthcare to people, government schools are being transformed, hospitals upgraded and welfare initiatives are reaching every household in the state. Describing the overwhelming response to the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ as emotional and historic, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the massive gatherings reflect the happiness and satisfaction of people over the enactment of the anti-sacrilege law and the transparent governance being provided by the Punjab Government.
