Amritsar: The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday exhorted Punjabis to come forward for starting a mass movement for putting all the signboards on the private and public buildings across the state in Punjabi language.

The Chief Minister, while addressing a gathering during a state level function to mark Punjabi language month here at the Guru Nanak Dev University, cited the examples of states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and others where people show lot of respect to their mother tongue by putting all such signboards on their shops and commercial establishments in their native language. He said that the time has come when Punjabis should also come forward for adopting this noble practice. Bhagwant Mann exhorted Punjabis to make sure that all the signboards are put prominently in Punjabi with other languages as a mark of respect to the mother tongue.

The Chief Minister said that people should ensure that the signboards in Punjabi are put before International Language Day coming on February 21. He underscored the need for making this a mass movement as a mark of respect to mother tongue. Bhagwant Mann said that the wise Punjabis will adopt this before February 21 and remaining one will be made to toe the line of government after that.

The Chief Minister also called upon the Punjabi community settled in India and different parts of the world to promote Punjabi language and culture in a big way. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a fact that no one can survive by detaching themselves from their rich culture and mother tongue. He pointed out that undoubtedly English was universally accepted world over as a link language, but this language should not be promoted at the cost and status of our mother tongue.

The Chief Minister said that rather every Punjabi should feel proud of the glorious cultural heritage inherited by them. He said that Punjab is the land of great Gurus, saints, seers and martyrs adding that since ages it has been a torchbearer to mankind. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjabis have carved a niche for themselves across the globe by their hard work and dedication.

The Chief Minister said that it is a curse if anyone forgets his/ her mother tongue but unfortunately in fad of English and other languages the Punjabis are drifting away from their mother language. He said that this trend needs to be reversed as it is an undeniable fact that a man can communicate and express well only in his mother tongue. Bhagwant Mann said that due to mental slavery we still believe in superiority of English language whereas the fact is that Punjabi is the best language for every one of us.

The Chief Minister said that many countries abroad are using Punjabi language but we are somehow shying away from using it. He said that no language is a symbol of intelligence but unfortunately we are continuously ignoring our own mother tongue just to pursue English. Citing an example of France, Bhagwant Mann said that French people prefer to converse in their mother tongue as a mark of respect to it adding that Punjabis should also make Punjabi an integral part of their lives.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabi language is a treasure as a lot of literature, songs, poems and other material has been written in it. He said that the time has come when we must preserve this wealth and perpetuate it for our coming languages. Bhagwant Mann said that we must feel proud of our language, culture and traditions adding that Universities and colleges must come forward for this noble cause.

The Chief Minister urged the educational institutes to initiate specialized courses in Punjabi language to encourage the students to join it. He said that the creativity of students in Punjabi language must be promoted by giving special focus to them. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjabi language has produced a number of littérateurs, intellectuals and poets adding that Punjabi are always proud of them.

Earlier Higher Education Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer welcomed all the dignitaries on the occasion. He also apprised about the efforts being made by the department to acquaint our younger generations about the glorious heritage of Punjab. Meet Hayer said that mother tongue is the most important source of communication for any individual.

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Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today appeared before a court here in connection with a defamation case filed against him by former MLA Nazar Singh Manshahia. After getting bail, the court has re-appeared on December 5.

Advocates Navdeep Sharma and Harpreet Singh appeared for him.

MLA Gurpreet Singh Bananwali appeared as a witness. Talking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that in the field of politics, those whose elected representatives later join another political party without informing their voters, they must face the defamation case from the public.

However, defamation cases are now being filed against the most truthful man. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is also facing over a dozen defamation cases for speaking trust against venal leaders and exposing their true face before the public, he said.

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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said that he is ready to meet his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar over the SYL canal issue.

He said that there is a shortage of water in both the states, for which the Central Government should meet the water shortage in both the states.

He was speaking after AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal launched a campaign to ‘make India No.1’ in Hisar.

Aap supremo Arvind Kejriwal said the Congress and the BJP should clarify their stand on the SYL canal in Punjab and Haryana. Both the political parties are playing dirty politics over the SYL canal.

He said that the water level in both the states is falling. Therefore, the Central Government should arrange water in Punjab and Haryana.

“If Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have a solution to SYL, call me, I will tell the solution,” Kejriwal said.

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Sri Anandpur Sahib (Roopnagar): In a major pro-employee decision, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced to regularise the services of 8736 teachers across the state.

Extending warm wishes towards teachers at the event here on Teacher’s Day, the Chief Minister said that he is elated to share that the Aam Aadmi Government has decided to regularise the service of 8736 teachers. He said that in this pious land and on this auspicious day services of 5442 Education Service Providers, 1130 Inclusive Education Teachers and others will be regularised. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed for ensuring well being of every strata of society.

In a bid to counter school drop-out rate among girl students in lack of transportation facilities, Chief Minister also announced to start shuttle bus service for government school going girl students across the state. He said that it’s a basic duty of the government to provide qualitative education to each and every child, while taking care of their basic needs such as transportation, diet, infrastructure and others. Bhagwant Mann asserted that in absence of transportation facility the school drop-out rate is much higher among girls, so we have decided to grant this facility to every girl child of the state to counter this phenomenon vigorously.

Announcing to utilise services of teachers only for teaching duties, Chief Minister said that they will not be used for any non teaching work. Describing digital education as the need of the hour, he said that it is must to compete on global level due to which it has been decided to send teachers to Oxford, Harvard and other renowned universities to acquire new teaching skills on lines of Delhi government. Bhagwant Mann said that being the son of a teacher, he knows the basic needs, problems and plights of the teachers.

The Chief Minister also shared his experiences about his teachers and paid respect towards them. Urging the teachers to shun the path of agitation and invited them for deliberations, the Chief Minister said that the policies adopted during previous dispensations, created unwanted hindrances but special attention is being given to Education and Health as these are the core areas of concern of Aam Aadmi Government. Bhagwant Mann further announced to develop Sri Anandpur Sahib and Nangal as Eco-Tourism destinations.

Earlier, the School Education Minister Harjot Bains said that the State government has determined to develop 100 Schools of Eminence and the department is working tirelessly on war footing to translate this announcement on ground as soon as possible.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed about the massive increase in school education budget at the rate of 17 percent in tune of Rs. 15758 crore. He also said that the Technical Education Budget and the Medical Education Budget have been enhanced to a tune of 47% and 57% respectively.

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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today unequivocally said that investigating agencies of the state are fully capable of carrying out any investigation and there is no question of handing over investigation of the post matric scholarship scam to any central agency.

Interacting with the leaders of the Valmiki community during a meeting here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister reiterated the firm commitment of his government to ensure stern punitive action against perpetrators of the Post matric scholarship scam. He said that the perpetrators of SC scam will not be spared and severe action will be taken against them. Bhagwant Mann categorically said that the agencies of Punjab are capable of everything so there is no question of handing over the probe to CBI or any other central agency.

The Chief Minister reiterated that out of the total panchayat land being reclaimed from affluent people, 33% will be given to SC community.

During the meeting it was decided that the matter pertaining to the dispute regarding management of Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal will be resolved by the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar. Regarding the issue of appointment of law officers, Bhagwant Mann categorically said that no other state has reservation in these posts. However, he said that the state government is consulting the legal experts and soon good news will be given to the community.

The Chief Minister said that services of safai sewaks are being regularised. Bhagwant Mann said that he has started the drive from Ludhiana and in coming days the contractual system for safai sewaks will be abolished in state. He said that in future all out efforts will be made to ensure regular recruitment of safai sewaks will be done on regular basis.

He said that state of the art Ambedkar Bhawan will be constructed at Mohali for imparting quality education and competitive training to SC students. Bhagwant Mann also asked the DGP to act strictly against those putting offensive posts on social media.

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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that the notification implementing ‘One MLA one pension’ in Punjab will revolutionize and reform the Indian political system.

“It is a humble initiative by the Aam Aadmi party government to realise the dreams of our freedom fighters and national heroes”, he said.

In a statement issued here, the Chief Minister said that our great freedom fighters had dreamt of a class -less democracy where elected representatives will work as the real servants of people and ensure their well being. But in the last 75 years these elected representatives have turned into political executives by drawing extravagant salaries and pensions from the state exchequer. Bhagwant Mann said that the entire burden of this facility extended to these leaders was met by taxpayers. Their money was misused to fill the pockets of these leaders instead of being used for public welfare.

He said that it is also a humble tribute by his government to the great freedom fighters and iconic heroes of Indian independence movement who had laid their lives for the nation to create a society based on equality. Bhagwant Mann said that his government will make every possible effort to cherish their aspirations and restore the glory of state as ‘Rangla Punjab’.

The Punjab government is expected to save around Rs 100 crore during its current tenure with this historic initiative, added the Chief Minister.

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Chandigarh: In a major relief to the students belonging to Schedule Caste (SC) category, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday directed that severest of severe action must be taken against educational institutes withholding the degree of SC students on pretext of post matric scholarship scheme.

“Take severest of severe action against educational institutions indulging in such tantrums to ruin the future of SC students and ensure that degree of not even a single student is withheld by any educational institute” said the Chief Minister while chairing a meeting of Social Justice and empowerment department.

The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the payment of funds under the scheme is a matter between the state government and the educational institutions. He said that students from the underprivileged and weaker sections of society have nothing to do with this and they should not suffer at any cost. Bhagwant Mann said that educational institutes have no right to withhold the degrees of the students and ruin their career.

The Chief Minister categorically said that it is cynical move on the part of educational institutions to act in such a shameful manner. He said that it also reflects the myopic mindset of some educational institutions which are trying to create barriers in the way of SC students. Bhagwant Mann said that stern action should be taken against erring educational institutes resorting to such tactics.

The Chief Minister asserted that the education institutions must refrain from bullying down the SC students and hampering their progress. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed to safeguard the interests of SC students and no stone will be left unturned for it. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government will not sit on its hands and allow the harassment of SC students from Educational Institutes.

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Dhuri (Sangrur): Slamming the Congress and Akalis for their anti-people stance, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that that the leaders of both these political parties are living in ‘fool’s paradise’ assuming that they are still in power.

Addressing the gathering, while presiding over a state level function to mark 72nd state level Van Mahostav here today, the Chief Minister said leadership of both these parties is yet to overcome the trauma of crushing defeat inflicted upon them by the people during assembly elections. He said that they still behave in the way as they are running the government in state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that these power hungry politicians have forgotten that the wise and brave people of Punjab have chosen a government that is serving them zealously.

Taking SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that the leader who used to boast that they will rule Punjab for 25 years has been totally rejected by people. Bhagwant Mann said that neither he has been able to win his seat nor he gets any candidate now to contest from his party. He said that during their days of power these leaders had forgotten that people are supreme in a democratic set up and once you ignore them in power they won’t give second chance to them.

The Chief Minister, while quipping on former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, questioned his absence from the political arena. He said that this Congress leader who claimed himself to be capable of doing everything is seen nowhere after the debacle of his party. Bhagwant Mann said that he fails to understand where Channi has ran away adding if this is the condition of Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress then that of the remaining party can be judged very well.

The Chief Minister said that as a fact of matter both Congress and Shiromani Akal Dal (SAD) are now ‘deadwoods’ of Punjab politics. He said that the people have rejected them as they have failed to fulfill the expectations of people. Bhagwant Mann said that these parties are now indulging in cheap tactics for scoring brownie points before media.

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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today impressed upon the Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Pankaj Kumar to enhance vigil at the borders of the state for checking smuggling of drugs and weapons from across the border.

The Director General of BSF called on the Chief Minister here at his official residence on Sunday.

During deliberations, the Chief Minister said that Punjab being a border state faces numerous challenges in wake of the smuggling of drugs and weapons from across the fence. He said that this needs to be checked with a heavy hand as it poses a grave threat to the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of the country. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab is fighting country’s war against drug as not even a single ounce of drug is produced in Punjab but as state is on transit route of drug supply, so it is battling hard to prevent smuggling of drugs into the country.

The Chief Minister said that meticulous planning and flawless execution of strategy against drug smuggling by BSF and the Punjab Police can act as a ‘barrier’ to save the country from poison of drugs. He said that this is the need of the hour to break the backbone of narco-gangster-terrorist nexus which is trying to flex its muscles for disturbing the hard earned peace of state. Bhagwant Mann assured fulsome support and cooperation to the Director General of BSF for this noble cause.

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Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that the Punjab government has so far cleared the possession of 9053 acres of government land, including 2828 acres released today.

CM said that the 2,828 acres of land that has been released today was occupied by 16 people, including Simranjit Singh Mann’s son Iman Singh Mann, his daughter and son-in-law.

Mann said the government land has also been removed from the possession of former minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar’s son.

He said that the drive will continue to remove encroachment from influential people and politicians to increase revenue of the government.

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