The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is focusing its policies on welfare measures for ordinary citizens while prioritising education, employment and the fight against drugs, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Tuesday. Interacting with residents at Ghazipur Mohalla in Adampur, he highlighted the state government’s initiatives ranging from free electricity and healthcare schemes to job creation and anti-drug campaign, while also criticising previous regimes for neglecting public welfare and the future of Punjab’s youth.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The common man was never on the agenda of these parties as they only safeguarded the interests of the wealthy. The credit for bringing the common man to the centre stage of national politics goes to AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and now the Punjab government is taking path breaking initiatives for the welfare of the common man.”
Listing key governance initiatives, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP government knows how to generate and utilise funds effectively. Today thermal plants are being purchased, electricity is being provided free of cost, water is reaching the tail ends of canals, farmers are receiving power supply and tariffs of electricity are being reduced for the welfare of the common man. In the last four years the Punjab government has delivered all the guarantees and even several additional benefits such as closing toll plazas have been provided to the people. On the other hand, the BJP led Union government introduced schemes like demonetisation which took money out of the pockets of the common man, especially women.”
Highlighting the Mukh Mantri Mavaan Dhian Satkar Yojana, he said, “Under this scheme, women above 18 years of age from the general category will receive ₹1000 per month and women from the Scheduled Caste category will receive ₹1500 per month as financial assistance. For ordinary people, especially the poor, ₹1000 to ₹1500 is a significant amount. This financial support is a mark of respect for mothers and daughters, and the smile on women’s faces after receiving this assistance gives me immense satisfaction.”
“Those who are mocking the government or raising baseless questions about this initiative do not understand the value of ₹1000 for the common man. These people spend more than ₹5000 on a single meal from money earned illegally, so they do not understand how important this assistance is for families that work hard even on festival days. The wives of these affluent leaders do not need ₹1000 because they spend more than that on cosmetics,” he added.
Speaking about healthcare reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann continued, “The AAP government has opened 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics to provide free healthcare services to people and quality treatment is being ensured in government hospitals. To strengthen healthcare further, the state government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first scheme of its kind in the country, which provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. Punjab has become the first state in India to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, significantly reducing the financial burden on families while ensuring quality health services.”
He said that the AAP government launched the “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” campaign through which the supply chain of drugs has been dismantled and drug smugglers involved in this heinous crime have been put behind bars. With the active support and cooperation of the public, the curse of drugs is being eradicated at the grassroots level and this campaign has now turned into a mass movement. Those leaders who spread the drug menace in the state are shamelessly twirling their moustaches. These were the people responsible for the genocide of Punjab’s youth through drugs. They patronised the drug trade across the state and even supplied drugs using official government vehicles.
Criticising former regimes, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Many of these leaders studied in convent schools in the hills and remain unaware of the vast wealth, properties and even buses they own. During their time in power they exploited people by illegally demanding shares in successful businesses across the state. These leaders ruined Punjab and their hands are drenched with the blood of the youth.”
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Taking a dig at the Punjab Bachao Yatra of Shiromani Akali Dal, he added, “The real name of this programme should be Parivar Bachao Yatra. After looting the state for 15 years, the Akali leaders must explain from whom they are trying to save Punjab now. They plundered the state mercilessly, damaged the emotional psyche of Punjabis and patronised multiple mafias. People know the truth about the Akalis and the Badal family, so these theatrics will no longer work. These leaders sheltered gangsters and allowed drugs to flow into the veins of Punjab’s youth by protecting smugglers. The Akali Dal has repeatedly misused religion for political interests, but the people of Punjab will not be misled again. The Akali leadership may build castles in the air but Punjabis will not fall for these tactics.”
Speaking about ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) incidents, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that the people of Punjab will never forgive the Akalis for their actions and will teach them a fitting lesson again. Sukhbir Singh Badal claims that all development happened during their tenure, yet they conveniently ignore the ‘beadbi’ incidents that took place under their government. Using religion for political interests has deeply hurt the sentiments of the people. The Akalis have always worked hand in glove with forces that are against the interests of the Sikh Panth and Punjab. They are opportunistic leaders who only serve their own interests instead of thinking about the welfare of the state. Traditional parties are envious today because our government has made the welfare of the common man the central agenda.
Pointing to political alliances of the past, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Earlier the Congress and BJP played friendly matches by taking turns in power and protecting each other’s interests. They treated governance like a game of musical chairs and waited for their turn to plunder the state and its people. This dirty politics stopped once the Aam Aadmi Party emerged as a major force in national politics, which is why these parties feel threatened.”
Highlighting achievements of the AAP government, he shared, “In the last four years the Punjab government has taken unprecedented steps for the welfare of the people. The opposition is not concerned about the well being or prosperity of the public. Their only aim is to capture power. Their poor and regressive policies had ruined the future of the state, forcing people to struggle for basic livelihoods.”
Concluding his address, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Every single rupee from the state exchequer is being utilised for the welfare of the people of Punjab. Today more than 90 percent of households receive free electricity and farmers are getting power supply during the daytime, which had never happened before. At a time when the Union government is selling national assets to its close friends at throwaway prices, the Punjab government created history by purchasing a private thermal plant and naming it after Sri Guru Amardass Ji.”
