Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday said that his government is working to make Punjab the best performing state in the country with the support of its people, asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has fulfilled its promises through initiatives in the areas of education, healthcare, power and social welfare.
Addressing a public meeting in Mokerian, Mann said his policies were aimed at improving people’s lives and not securing political power. He claimed that while his government was focusing on expanding welfare, Congress was engaged in a power struggle and indicated that it would halt welfare schemes if voted out.
Mann appealed to people to support the AAP on the basis of its record in governance, claiming that a stronger mandate would prevent “opportunistic” parties from reversing welfare initiatives. Shiromani also targeted the Akali Dal, alleging that its previous governments had failed to work in the interest of Punjab and accused its leadership of misleading people through false promises.
Focus on social welfare plans
Highlighting his government’s initiatives, Mann said that more than 68,000 young people obtained government jobs without corruption, that 90% of families received free electricity, and that the toll plazas that the government closed were providing about $70 thousand per day. He said the use of canal water for irrigation purposes has increased from 22% to more than 88% since the AAP government took office, while recharge points created in canals and rivers have improved groundwater levels in many areas.
The Prime Minister said Punjab has secured first position in primary and intermediate education, according to NITI Aayog data, after investments in school infrastructure, smart classrooms and teacher training. He also highlighted the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, under which health cards provide cashless treatment of up to $10 lakh is being issued to all 65 lakh families in the state. According to him, more than 30,000 beneficiaries received health and treatment cards worth close to their value $Rs 650 crore has been provided under this scheme.
Referring to the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, Mann said more than 32,000 women have started receiving monthly financial assistance from July 1. He added that women who were unable to register during the first phase will receive benefits for three months together after registering in August.
The Prime Minister also assured that those responsible for the sacrilege incidents involving Guru Granth Sahib would face legal action and said such cases would be strictly followed up in accordance with the law.
