Chandigarh: Giving a clarion call to the youth of state,’ to become their own ideal’, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday exhorted the youth to don’t allow anyone to play with their emotions as such mischievous elements disappear after fulfilling their vested interests.

Making an emotional appeal to the youth through a video message today, the Chief Minister said that his government will leave no stone unturned for ensuring that youth of the state get the required platform and support. Bhagwant Mann pledged to provide a holistic environment for utilising the innovative ideas of youngsters for the growth and prosperity of state. He said, “My target is to ensure that the youth of Punjab are not branded as ‘aimless’. I want you to be your own role model, therefore, no one else can take advantage of your abilities and potential”.

The Chief Minister further said that Punjab government will provide complete support to all of you for starting a new ventures or startups.

Taking a major decision for the welfare of the youth of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann announced that he will hold ‘Naujawan Sabha’ meetings with youth twice a month for a direct dialogue with them. He said that the purpose of these meetings is to directly interact with the youth and get their feedback and suggestions so that the government can formulate policies suitable for them to start new businesses and undertake other innovative initiatives.

The Chief Minister said that a thorough discussion will be held with youth every 15 days, to take their suggestions for bolstering the agriculture, transport and other sectors. Describing the youth of Punjab as skilled, capable and determined, he said, “The youth have thousands of dreams to shape their future but it is a pity that they are not provided with adequate opportunities to fulfill their dreams. The Punjab government will give fulsome support to our youth to start new businesses.” Bhagwant Mann said that youth of the state are full of new and innovative ideas that can be helpful for the growth and prosperity of Punjab.

Urging the youth to acquire higher education to get top positions, the Chief Minister lamented that in the age of technology, Punjabi youth are least interested in acquiring the skill knowledge for better vistas of employment adding that the admission rate in Punjab Technical University has staggeringly dipped to only 35 percent. Similarly, while referring to Lovely Professional University, he said that 40,000 students are pursuing higher education in this university, but only 5,200 students are from Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said, “It is my heartfelt wish that the youth of Punjab should not become job seekers but job givers. The youth of Punjab will reach to higher positions and not be coerced to go to jails.”

The Chief Minister said that due to work culture in foreign countries, Punjabi youths have proved their mettle by sheer hard work, resilience and perseverance adding that they have managed to establish and expand their businesses more than the foreigners. He said that these countries have achieved the status of developed countries due to work culture only. Sharing experience from his personal life, Bhagwant Mann said, “I work more than 12 hours every day for the betterment of Punjab and even on holidays, I attend meetings along with handling government files. Every day, I try to take some new initiative or decision for the welfare of Punjabis so that we can make Punjab a progressive state soon.”

The post Punjab govt to extend help to youth in setting up business ventures, says CM Mann appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.

Chandigarh: Asserting that the state has successfully completed the first lap of unprecedented development in the last one year, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said that the state government is working untiringly not for forming the next government but for prosperity of the next generation.

In a video message to the Punjabis on the occasion of completion of one year in office, the Chief Minister said that people of state had given a thumping verdict in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party during the assembly elections held last year. He said that during the last one year revolutionary changes have been witnessed in the state with his government making concerted efforts for ensuring the holistic development of Punjab and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Mann said that unlike the previous governments who did everything for forming the next government, his government is focusing largely on holistic growth of the next generation.

The Chief Minister profusely thanked the people of Punjab for bestowing him this responsibility with a huge verdict. He said that this faith and love showered by people have filled him with humility to discharge this duty effectively. Bhagwant Mann solicited the fulsome support and cooperation of people especially the NRIs for carving out a new Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time a government has been formed in Punjab which belongs exclusively to the people of state. He said that it is neither the government of the Badal nor of Captain but this is the government of every Punjabi. Bhagwant Mann assured the people that as per their aspirations no stone will be left unturned for the well being of the state adding that a new, progressive and vibrant Punjab will be carved out soon.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab had witnessed massive development during last year adding that major thrust will be given to this growth and progress in the second year too. He said that with industries making a beeline to invest in the state, Punjab will soon emerge as an industrial hub in the coming days. Bhagwant Mann said that a major drive will be soon initiated against the drugs in the coming days to wipe out this menace from the state.

Listing the several pro-people initiatives taken by his government in the last one year, the Chief Minister said that the state government has so far given 26,797 jobs to youth in the last one year to check brain drain. He said that the sole criteria for selection in this entire recruitment process are merit and the complete procedure is being followed in a transparent manner. Bhagwant Mann said that such a whopping number of jobs in merely one year reflect the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of youth and opening new avenues of employment for them.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government has fulfilled the guarantee of giving 300 units of free electricity per month from July 1. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that 87% of the households in the state have got zero power bills in the months of November-December, 2022. Bhagwant Mann said that he hails from a common family and knows well what are the problems being faced by them.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that the state government has regularized 14000 temporary employees in the state and the Cabinet has given nod for regularizing the same number of employees. He said that the state government has taken historic initiative to promote Moong as the third crop to bring farmers out of wheat/ paddy rut and save the precious water of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that MSP worth Rs 7275/- per quintal was announced on Moongi crop to supplement the income of farmers by Rs 30,000 per acre.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has provided financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 1500/- per acre to the farmers for promotion of Direct Seeded Rice. He said that the state government has also paid the total outstanding amount of previous years of sugarcane cultivators. Bhagwant Mann also said that his government has for the first time ensured upward revision in daily wages of labour.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government has dedicated more than 500 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state to impart quality health services in the state. He said that these clinics are providing world class treatment and diagnostic facilities to the people free of cost. Bhagwant Mann said that so far 12-15 lakh patients have been benefitted from these Aam Aadmi clinics in merely few months.

The Chief Minister said that 117 Schools of Eminence have been set up in 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to children. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help the students to groom well for the future competitive exams. He said that no stone is being left unturned for the holistic development of the state and the day is not far when the pristine glory of Punjab will be restored.

Reiterating the firm commitment of his government to punish the perpetrators of sacrilege incidents in the state, the Chief Minister said that for the first time wheels of state government have moved in this direction. He said that justice in these cases is not far away as the challan has already been presented in the court to ensure severest of severe action against the culprits. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far away when the culprits of this heinous crime will be seen behind the bars.

The post Working not for forming next government but for welfare of next generations, says CM Mann appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.

Chandigarh: Hailing the budget 2023-24 presented by the Finance Minister Harpal Cheema as ‘Aam Lokaan Da Budget’, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday described it as a the roadmap for a new, progressive and prosperous Punjab.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that this tax free budget has been presented exactly a year after his government has assumed charge in office. He said that this maiden full budget of his government is aimed at giving major fillip to the development of the state. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that the budget will transform the destiny of the common man (Aam Lok) by ensuring peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

CM said that as per the commitment of his government, the budget is the blueprint for restoring the pristine glory of the state. He said that the budget will give further impetus to the growth in every sector and ensure that the state witnesses comprehensive growth. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when this budget coupled with pragmatic policies of the state government will help in the progress of the state.

He said that the state government has so far given 26,797 jobs to youth adding that the budget stipulates to regularly recruit and create an ecosystem for private jobs for Punjabis to check brain drain. He said that the total Budget Expenditure of ₹1,96,462 crore for FY 2023-24 reflects 26% growth compared to the FY 2022-23, which reflects the commitment of the state government to ensure uninterrupted development in Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that the allocation for agriculture and allied sectors has been enhanced by 20% to take adequate steps for making farming a profitable venture.

Mann said that the provision to introduce a “New Agricultural Policy” with the objective to conserve natural resources and enhance farmer’s income will go a long way in bailing out the farmer from the current agrarian crisis. He said that an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for a special scheme on diversification during the upcoming financial year will also act as a catalyst for the well being of farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that the proposal to provide crop insurance to farmers to save them from vagaries of the weather and other uncertainties is also a historic decision to safeguard the interests of the farmers.

He said that the proposal to set up the five new Horticulture estates in Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Bathinda and Faridkot and proposal of keeping Rs 100 crore in the next financial year to nudge MILKFED to reach new heights will also go a long way in well being of the farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that an outlay of Rs 17,072 crore for school and higher education has been kept which is 12% higher than previous year. He said that a budget of Rs 200 crore has been kept for upgradation of schools into Schools of Eminence adding that an allocation of Rs 18 crore for OBC students and Rs 60 crore for SC students has been kept.

CM said that provision to re-activate over 14,500 youth clubs in the State will help in channelizing the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction. He also said that an allocation of Rs1,015 crore for Medical Education and Research will help in making the state a hub of Medical education. Bhagwant Mann also said that Rs 990 crore kept for providing assistance to the various State Universities such as Punjabi University, Patiala, PAU, GADVASU, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur State University of Law, Punjab University, Chandigarh, others and its constituent colleges will go a long way in complete overhaul of the education system in the state.

He said that Rs 4,781 crore has been kept for Health and Family Welfare which is 11% higher than the previous year. Similarly, he said that budgetary outlay of Rs 231 crore has been kept for employment generation and skill development which is 36% higher than the previous year adding that it will help in imparting quality skill training to youth. Bhagwant Mann said that it will help in creating a pool of skilled manpower to open new vistas of employment for youth.

Mann said that the state government will continue to facilitate the industrial units in the state by giving them a large number of fiscal incentives to boost industrialization in the state. He said that the “Punjab Sikhya-te-Sehat Fund” will act as a catalyst to transform education and health sectors by active participation of NRI brethren. Bhagwant Mann also said that modernization of the Police force will be ensured for keeping a strict vigil over law and order and to tackle crime.

Likewise, Mann said that a special fund has been earmarked to strengthen the infrastructure in the border districts of the State and combat cyber- crime. Bhagwant Mann said that the budget has laid due focus on supporting various welfare schemes and for empowerment, protection and holistic development of SCs, BCs, Minorities and all downtrodden sections of the society. He said that due focus has also been laid for renovation and upgradation of state infrastructure with a total budget outlay of Rs 26,295 crore which is 13% higher than last financial year.

He said that the budget has laid due focus on repair and construction of roads, comprehensive development of rural areas, cleaning and strengthening of the canal system, upgradation of the public transport sector, subsidized power and other sectors. He expressed hope that the budget will ensure that Punjab emerges as a frontrunner state in the country. Bhagwant Mann said that the budget marks the dawn of a new era in the state which will benefit each and every Punjabi.

The post No new tax in budget to give boost to progress of Punjab, says CM Mann appeared first on TV Punjab | English News Channel.