Punjab government acting as facilitators of industry: CM to captains of industry

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday reaffirmed that the era of industrial harassment is over, with the state government now acting as a facilitator to boost the sector.

Speaking at the Sanatkaar Milni event, where he interacted with business leaders, Mann—accompanied by AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal—highlighted the government's commitment to promoting and encouraging industries. He emphasized that unlike previous administrations, which burdened industrialists, his government has taken proactive steps to support business growth. "Due to the untiring efforts of the state government, Punjab has today emerged as a frontrunner in industrial development," he said.

Mann credited Kejriwal for bringing key issues like health, education, and employment to the forefront, compelling traditional political parties to shift their focus. "AAP is working on a mission, whereas past regimes functioned on commission, which was completely unwarranted," he remarked. Stressing the importance of democratic governance, he reiterated that his government prioritizes the people's voice in policymaking.

He pointed out that previous administrations never engaged in such open interactions, preferring one-way communication. However, under the current government, direct engagement between the leadership and the public is shaping policies for Punjab’s progress. "This is unprecedented—people now have the power to make decisions in the state," Mann asserted.

Recalling his long-standing association with Ludhiana, which began in the early 1990s during his early career as an artist, Mann described the city as Punjab’s economic capital. He pledged to accelerate Ludhiana’s development, calling it his karam bhoomi (land of duty).

Mann reiterated his government’s commitment to every section of society, including industry and agriculture. He emphasized the importance of value addition to agricultural produce and called for a stronger synergy between the agricultural and industrial sectors to drive Punjab’s economic growth.

Criticizing Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, Mann accused him of failing to address Ludhiana’s industrial concerns despite hailing from the city. He noted that local industrialists now seek state government intervention for railway-related issues due to their lack of confidence in Bittu’s leadership. "This reflects the faith and trust people have in the AAP government," Mann remarked.

He also took a dig at former political leaders, stating that those who once lived in palatial homes and dominated state politics have now been ousted. "The state has entered a new era where once-invincible figures have been shown the door by the people," he said, adding that these leaders never prioritized the welfare of the common man.

Mann claimed that traditional parties resent him for rising from a common background and working tirelessly for the people. "They always believed they had a divine right to rule Punjab, which is why they cannot accept that a common man is now running the state efficiently," he said. He further added that despite their past tactics of misleading the public, people are no longer influenced by their propaganda.

Responding to Congress leaders' claims that some AAP MLAs were in contact with them and could switch sides, Mann dismissed the statements as baseless attempts to gain media attention. "Instead of daydreaming about defections, Congress should focus on keeping its own ranks intact," he quipped, asserting that these politicians had lost touch with both their cadre and the public.