ROPAR, June 9 — Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared on Monday that the era of alternating political regimes exploiting the sentiments and natural resources of Punjab has concluded. Speaking during a public interaction at Badwa village in Ropar, the Chief Minister stated that the state exchequer is no longer being drained to fund the luxurious lifestyles of rulers, but is instead being returned directly to the public through robust infrastructure, healthcare, and education projects.
The Chief Minister asserted that opposition parties are deeply frustrated by the current administration’s focus on common citizens. He observed that leaders who spent their tenures locked away from the public are now baffled by development-oriented policies that are accelerating the state’s growth.
During the program, the Chief Minister strongly condemned the renewed alliance between the Akalis and the BJP, labeling it a desperate mechanism to grab authority. He remarked:
“This alliance is aimed solely at grabbing power in Punjab. Leaders of both parties have repeatedly spoken against each other and hurled accusations at one another. The people of Punjab are asking with what face they will now seek votes together. The people will not be misled by such political theatrics and will teach them a befitting lesson in the coming days.”
The Chief Minister noted that successive previous governments intentionally ignored regions blessed with rich natural resources and beauty because they lacked the vision to harness state potential. He stated that the electorate’s choice of the Aam Aadmi Party’s ‘jhaadu’ symbol in 2022 effectively cleansed the political system, allowing honest governance to transform Punjab into a frontline state.
Reviewing his administration’s major initiatives, the Chief Minister cited several key developments:
- Resource Management: By releasing 21,000 cusecs of water through newly constructed channels—a volume equivalent to two Bhakra canals—the government has successfully replenished local water tables while securing essential irrigation resources for farmers.
- Fiscal Responsibility: The state created history by purchasing a private thermal plant and naming it after Sri Guru Amardass Ji, actively strengthening public assets. Meanwhile, over 90% of households are currently benefiting from zero-liability electricity bills.
- Public Safety Innovations: The state deployed 1,597 specially trained personnel and 144 equipped vehicles to monitor 4,200 kilometers of accident-prone highways via the Sadak Surakhiya Force, earning praise on the floor of Parliament from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
- Educational Advancements: Government school teachers are being sent abroad for advanced professional training. Specialized coaching programs have enabled nearly 300 students from state-run Schools of Eminence to qualify for prestigious exams like JEE Mains, Advanced, and NEET.
The Chief Minister also addressed the legislative steps taken to protect social harmony, explaining that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026 was enacted to deliver justice where past administrators failed. He affirmed that the law acts as a powerful deterrent against sacrilege, ensuring that anyone attempting to disrupt peace faces severe property liquidations and long-term imprisonment, thereby fulfilling a collective duty to preserve the sanctity of the state’s cultural fabric.
