Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday highlighted the achievements of the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann while contrasting them with the previous Congress and Akali-BJP administrations.
He also expressed gratitude to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria for his speech in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
Cheema began his speech by recalling the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) promise during the 2022 elections to provide free electricity in Punjab. He stated that the promise was fulfilled within three months of the government’s formation, with 90 percent of domestic electricity consumers now receiving zero electricity bills. He also highlighted the government’s acquisition of the private thermal plant at Goindwal Sahib, a project worth Rs 6000 crore, for just Rs 1080 crore, making it a public asset for the first time in Punjab’s history.
Criticizing the Congress government, Cheema remarked that the party walked out of the session as it could not face the current government’s success in clearing Rs 9000 crore subsidy arrears left by the Congress-led state government.
Speaking about AAP’s promise to improve healthcare, Cheema highlighted the impact of Aam Aadmi Clinics, which provide free treatment, tests, and medicines. He contrasted this with the Congress government’s failure to recruit healthcare professionals, mentioning that only 43 out of 547 advertised posts were filled under their administration. He added that the current government has recruited specialist doctors and is transforming government hospitals.
In education, Cheema pointed to a 57 percent budget increase under the AAP government. He mentioned initiatives like the School of Eminence and international teacher training programs while criticizing the Congress government’s plan to close 1207 schools, a decision later reversed by AAP. He also commented that many opposition leaders were educated in expensive private schools and were unaware of the condition of government schools.
Cheema spoke about the government’s success in attracting over Rs 90,000 crore in investments, attributing this to improved law and order. He credited the Anti-Gangster Task Force for cracking down on gangsters, claiming that gangster culture thrived under Congress rule. “Congress party gave birth to gangster culture in the state; gangsters from other states were brought and kept in Punjab jails,” he said.
On drug eradication, Cheema highlighted the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, which has resulted in 2200 FIRs, 3800 arrests, and the demolition of 43 illegally constructed properties of drug dealers. He accused previous governments of allowing the drug trade to expand, stating that the term ‘Chitta’ became widely known during the Akali-BJP rule. He also pointed out that Captain Amarinder Singh had taken an oath to end drugs but failed to act during the Congress regime.
Cheema emphasized the government’s efforts to provide jobs to over 50,000 youth and promote sports through initiatives like ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ and plans for 1000 sports nurseries. He also mentioned appointing accomplished athletes to key positions to inspire young people.
On agriculture, Cheema said the government is taking steps to conserve groundwater by ensuring canal water reaches the tail-end regions after decades. He also mentioned uninterrupted electricity for farmers and the continuation of subsidies for tubewells.
Cheema reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honoring soldiers’ sacrifices by providing financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to their families. He also spoke about managing state debt, paying interest, and regularizing teacher services, comparing these actions to the failures of the previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments.
He noted that Punjab has a debt burden of around Rs 3 lakh crore, with Rs 20,000 crore spent annually on interest payments alone, which puts a strain on the state’s finances. While efforts are being made to repay the principal amount, a large portion of the budget is still allocated to paying off interest.
Addressing employee issues, Cheema stated that the AAP government has paid approximately Rs 14,500 crore in dues owed to employees after the Congress government implemented the 6th Pay Commission. He mentioned that most teachers’ services have been regularized, and non-permanent teachers now receive Rs 25,000, compared to Rs 6,000 under the Congress government.
Concluding his speech, Cheema said that despite being in Punjab’s legislative assembly for just eight years, AAP has made significant progress. He added that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, the government remains focused on driving development in the state.
