Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab State Media In-charge and General Secretary Baltej Pannu on Thursday questioned the deafening silence of Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP leaders after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann placed evidence-backed facts showing that Rajasthan owes Punjab ₹1.44 lakh crore under the 1920 water agreement. He said that for decades, parties that ruled Punjab compromised its rights and today have no answers as the truth stands exposed before the people.

AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Ever since Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann presented evidence-backed facts that under the 1920 agreement, Rajasthan owes Punjab ₹1.44 lakh crore in lieu of water received since 1960, why have leaders of Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP, who ruled for 70 years, are silent on this matter? These parties have no answers to the questions being asked by the people.”

Targeting BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar, he stated, “Jakhar Sahib, the same leaders who were once in Congress with you are now sitting with you in BJP, those who carried ‘golden and silver tools’ to dig canals through Punjab’s chest and divert its waters to other states. Why are you silent on those betrayals today? The people of Punjab understand the meaning of your silence very well.”

He further stated that the same traditional parties that had pushed Punjab to the brink of becoming barren have been countered by the Bhagwant Mann government, which has revived the state within just four years. “While earlier only 22% canal water reached the fields, today, due to the efforts of the Mann government, that figure has increased to 78%. Not only this, canals and distributaries that were buried by previous governments in collusion with the land mafia are now being revived. The restoration of the buried ‘Lambi Canal’ stands as a living example of this,” he added.

Baltej Pannu added, “Opposition parties and leaders are troubled by new developments because their old conspiracies and betrayals buried beneath the soil have now come to light. Those who looted and exploited Punjab for 70 years and sold its rights to other states have now been exposed.”

Reaffirming the commitment of the AAP Government, he said, “As long as CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is in office, every single penny and every right of Punjab will remain fully protected.”

In a major push to fulfil CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of transforming healthcare and medical education in the state, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday announced the establishment of a new government medical college in Kapurthala. This is the second such institute to be announced this month following the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences in Hoshiarpur. The new facility, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji State Institute of Medical Sciences, will be constructed at the existing District Hospital complex in Kapurthala.

Addressing a press conference, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh stated, “All formalities, including the tendering process, have been completed and work orders have been issued to the executing agencies. Construction is scheduled to commence on March 25, 2026, and will be completed within 24 months by March 2028.”

He shared, “The project, which will be established at a total cost of ₹275 crore, will feature a 300-bedded hospital and a medical college with an annual intake of 100 MBBS students, significantly bolstering the state’s medical education capacity and ensuring that students from Punjab do not have to seek costly alternatives abroad.”

Highlighting the impact, the Minister emphasised, “Once operational, the institute will not only add 100 MBBS seats but also provide state-of-the-art secondary and tertiary care services to the people of the region. This institute will be a major source of employment, with over 1,000 people set to benefit directly, while thousands will get employment indirectly.”

Sharing further developments, he continued, “To further strengthen the healthcare network, the Government Hospital in Sultanpur Lodhi will be upgraded as an urban centre and the Government Hospital in Begowal will be upgraded as a rural centre. Both will be attached to the new Medical College in Kapurthala.”

The project to be established over an area of more than 5 lakh square feet will include six major operation theatres, a 500-capacity auditorium, advanced diagnostic facilities such as MRI and CT scan, a central lab, a blood bank, and modern teaching departments equipped with skill labs and museums.

The Health Minister was accompanied by Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, Chairman Punjab Health System Corporation Gursharan Singh Chinna and Managing Director Punjab Health System Corporation Amit Talwar.