Holding the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress governments squarely responsible for the appalling state of government institutions in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is committed to offering superior facilities in these institutions, ensuring that no citizen of Punjab is denied access to government services.
Addressing the gathering after dedicating the ‘Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences’ to the people on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that previous governments and politicians promoted the privatization of government institutions, completely neglecting government institutions. He said that these tyrant politicians were so greedy and ruthless that they orchestrated a well-planned conspiracy to ruin the government’s health and education infrastructure in Punjab, compelling the common man to seek education or treatment from private sectors.
The Chief Minister said that cancer treatment in private hospitals was prohibitively expensive, rendering many cancer patients unable to afford treatment due to their economic conditions. Previous rulers promoted private institutions solely for profit, filling their own coffers while leaving the needy people deprived of seeking quality treatment from government hospitals. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these politicians, deeply entrenched in nepotism and have never worked for the welfare of Punjab, leading the people of Punjab to reject them from power.
Highlighting the steps being taken for the betterment of government institutions in the state, the Chief Minister pointed out that the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, dedicated to the people at Mohali today, is the second in the country and the first in Punjab to have such a plethora of modern machines, surpassing even private hospitals. He further said that the government is establishing 45 maternity and child care centers in the state, with 37 already dedicated to the people. Additionally, 664 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been established where treatment is provided free of cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that more than one crore people have been treated so far.
Citing the example of reverse migration of youth, who were compelled by the system of previous governments to migrate abroad, the Chief Minister said that a positive trend of reverse migration has begun in the state. He said that his government had provided government jobs to more than 40,000 youths in just two years, marking a record in Punjab’s history. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that among those who secured these government jobs, some are youngsters returned from abroad.
Additionally, the Chief Minister underscored ongoing efforts of Punjab government to attract maximum investment to the state, aiming to create significant employment opportunities for the youth. He said that over Rs 70,000 crore has been invested in two years, promising employment to three lakh youths. Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted the efforts made in the field of education and said that 117 ‘Schools of Eminence’ are being established in the state, offering world-class education to the youth.
The Chief Minister said that now even the children from economical weaker section can fulfill their dreams as students are being nurtured to fulfill their desired objectives in these schools. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he can confidently state that the atmosphere in Punjab has undergone a significant transformation, with optimistic activities prevailing over pessimism. He said that the state government has been taking historic initiatives to provide jobs to the youth, inaugurate major projects such as new schools and hospitals, and promote sports in the homeland of Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that now every Punjabi can proudly affirm that the Punjab government is tirelessly working for their welfare round the clock. Taking a dig at the opposition for criticizing his governance, he said that the Akalis and Congressmen were hands in gloves and ruled the state for decades due to their mutual understanding. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people’s mandate has ousted them from power and elected a common man as the CM of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is now undertaking historic and welfare decisions for the betterment of Punjab and its people. He said that unnerved by the honest efforts of his government, the opposition is resorting to baseless and malicious allegations to tarnish his clean image. Bhagwant Singh Mann dared Akali leaders Harsimrat Badal, Bikram Singh Majithia, and Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and Navjot Sidhu to pass a written test of Punjabi language, labeling them as “shoddy politicians of Punjabi language.”
The Chief Minister asserted that these leaders, who have attended convent schools, will not be able to pass the Punjabi language examination due to their educational background. He said that even if these leaders were provided with the answers, they would likely struggle to write them correctly.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that out of the 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab, 92 AAP MLAs belong to ordinary households. Among these 92 MLAs, 82, including himself, are first-time MLAs.
The Chief Minister said that in his party, dedication to public service is considered merit, whereas opposition parties prioritize nepotism. He said that their MLAs include doctors, lawyers, social workers, and respected personalities from various fields. Lashing out at the Centre for withholding Punjab’s funds, Bhagwant Singh Mann blamed the Central government of displaying bias and discrimination against non-BJP state governments. He said that states like Delhi, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab have been compelled to seek assistance from the Supreme Court to obtain their rightful funds.
Meanwhile, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, and the Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister, Anmol Gagan Mann, were also present at the occasion
