In a paradigm shift from previous regimes people’s CM (Chief Minister) Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday interacted with the people of the villages under shades of tree and sought their vital inputs regarding the carving out of Rangla Punjab and apprised them about key initiatives of his government.
There were no cozy sofas or the formalities of government protocol in usual meetings of the state government but there was a sense of belongingness where a chief minister visited the ground to open his mind with the people and get feedback from them. Likewise, the people also reciprocated and talked freely with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and gave their views to him. The camaraderie and bonhomie amongst the Chief Minister and people was at its peak as Bhagwant Singh Mann struck an emotional chord with them on political, social and other issues of the state.
The Chief Minister said that at the time he assumed office, only 21% of canal water was being used for irrigation but today that number has risen to 63%. He said that due to the concerted efforts of the Punjab government for the first time the water of canals and rivers have reached the villages in the tail end of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann also mentioned that his government successfully safeguarded Punjab’s water resources from being diverted to other states.
The Chief Minister informed the farmers that in order to avoid complications to them in selling their paddy harvest due to high moisture content in October, the state government has advanced the paddy cultivation season from June 1. For this, he said that zone wise cultivation of the paddy crop has been ensured in the state along with necessary planning and arrangements. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state was divided into zones to implement this sowing mechanism in an effective manner and the dates of paddy cultivation in a phased manner were announced soon so that farmers can take benefit from it.
The Chief Minister also said that as the state government had advanced the dates of paddy transplantation in the state so he had urged the Union government to prepone the procurement of paddy by 15 days. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had called the Union Food Minister and urged that now the procurement of paddy must start from September 15 so that the farmers of the state can sell their in a smooth and hassle free manner. He said that this will enable the farmers to bring moisture free grains in the Mandis thereby ensuring their smooth procurement.
The Chief Minister said that he wants to hand over tiffins in the hands of youth by giving them employment so that they shun the syringes and menace of other drugs. He said that as Idle hands are a devil's workshop, the state government is trying its best to ensure that maximum youth get jobs so that they do not fall prey to the social menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unemployment is the root cause of several social problems due to which the state government is focusing on eradicating this malady and so far around 55,000 government jobs have been provided to the youth.
The Chief Minister said that the drug mafia was patronized by the earlier governments but his government has launched a crusade against drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said meticulous planning has been done to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state and now war against drugs has begun in a full-fledged manner. He said that apart from snapping the supply lines of drugs the state government has put the big fishes involved in this crime behind the bars adding that now the property of the drug peddlers is being seized and destroyed.
Highlighting another major welfare initiative, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. He proudly stated that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state.
The Chief Minister said that after cleaning the mess of previous regimes for three years, the state government is now on the path of restoring the pristine glory of Punjab. He bemoaned that the state has lagged behind in the process of development due to the regressive policies and malicious intent of the previous regimes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that since day one of assuming charge in office his government had focused on holistic development of the state and prosperity of its people.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has fulfilled almost all the guarantees promised to people adding that even those guarantees which were not made have also been given to people. He said that unfortunately water had depleted in 117 out 153 blocks, which went into black dark zone. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the previous governments never bothered about making any effort to save the groundwater and the farmers at the tail ends, on this land of five rivers, never got water.
The Chief Minister said after assuming charge the AAP government has revived 15947 water courses in the state due to which water has reached at the tail ends even in remotest villages. Likewise, he said that his government has provided free power to households from the month of July after which 90% of them are getting free power. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time the state government has purchased a power plant from a private firm to make the state surplus in power production.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state government has named this thermal plant after Sri Guru Amar Dass ji- the third Sikh Guru. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state has enough supply and stock of coal through which these plants can be run efficiently. He said that the state government is supplying uninterrupted and regular power to all the sectors even during the peak paddy season.
Expressing concern over big fat weddings in the state, the Chief Minister said that they are putting a huge burden on the pockets of the common farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann, while batting for simple weddings, said that it is the need of the hour so that farmers can be pulled out of the vicious circle of debt. He said that the lavish weddings should be avoided as they put the farmers of the state under huge debt thereby leading to serious repercussions in the coming times adding that the farmers should come out of the mad race of competing with each other on spending the money lavishly just as their neighbours or relatives had been doing so.
The Chief Minister also called upon the farmers to adopt the technique of using the farm equipment on custom hiring basis from the Cooperative societies as it will help them in curtailing the heavy cost expenditure meted out on farming. He said that the state government was already giving huge subsidies to the cooperative societies for purchasing such equipment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these resources should be utilized judiciously to make agriculture a profitable venture by cutting the expenditure meted out on it.
The Chief Minister quipped that the top leaders of the opposition are not even aware of the basic Punjabi due to which they can’t read or write it well. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders who had taken education from Sanwar and Doon school are poor in speaking Punjabi due to which they can’t connect with masses. He said that these leaders had ignored education in the state due to which people had ousted them and paved the way for new people to come and join politics.
Reiterating that there will be no mercy against the people who had spread the curse of drugs in the state, the Chief Minister said that the ‘ drug Jarnails’ who were considered invincible have been put behind the bars. He said that the drug trade flourished and was patronised by those who were elected by the people to serve them but unfortunately they supplied drugs in their official cars. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders enjoyed paramount power during their heydays and no one dared to touch them despite the fact they were hand in glove with the drug smugglers.
However, the Chief Minister said that his government has put these leaders behind the bars as they had committed genocide of the youth by flourishing drug trade adding he solicited fulsome support and cooperation of the people for teaching these traitors of Punjab a befitting lesson. He said that the resounding success of the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh is a testimony to the fact that the people of state are with the state government in this war against drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this crusade will further continue in the coming times so as to make Punjab free from scourge of drugs.
The Chief Minister said that agriculture and farmers have always been the top priority of his government and Continuous efforts are being made to make agriculture a profitable venture. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that farmers shared that there is no shortage of electricity or canal water, and they are receiving an uninterrupted supply. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening to see smiles returning to the faces of the farmers.
