Bathinda: The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that with the strenuous efforts of the state government, the state will shine like the precious ‘Kohinoor’ gem during the current year by witnessing a holistic development in every arena.

Addressing the gathering here after unfurling the national tricolor during a function to mark Republic Day here at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Stadium, the Chief Minister gave a clarion call to people to extend fulsome support and cooperation to the state government. He urged the Punjabis residing across the globe to help the state government in restoring the pristine glory of the state. Bhagwant Mann vowed to take Punjab to new heights adding that the state government is committed to carve out an egalitarian society which our great martyrs and national leaders had envisioned.

The Chief Minister also said that as a colony of British Empire our country had suffered a lot but the brave and determined heroes of our freedom struggle made enormous sacrifices to remove the shackles of foreign imperialism. He said that is on record that more than 90% of the great patriots who laid down their lives or were subjected to British tyranny in one form or other were Punjabis. Bhagwant Mann said that a string of gems like Baba Ram Singh, Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Diwan Singh Kalepani and many others, shed their blood to achieve an independent nation for us.

The Chief Minister asserted that even today Punjabis are at forefront to safeguard the borders of the country. He said that Punjabis led the nation from the front whenever India faced any challenge from internal or external aggression. It is a known fact that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state have played a crucial role in making the country self-reliant in food production, Bhagwant Mann added.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that even 75 years after Independence the dreams of our freedom fighters and great national heroes like Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and Baba Sahib Dr BR Ambedkar remain unfulfilled. He said that people had high hopes from the successive governments that assumed power in the state through the decades after independence, but most served to dash these hopes because corruption, poverty, unemployment and many other ills are still deeply embedded in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that Aam Aadmi government which assumed the charge of office early this year has come like a breath of fresh air into Punjab as it is committed to fulfil the aspirations of people of the state.

The Chief Minister said that now the time has come when every Punjabi must come forward for making a ‘Rangla Punjab’. He said that Punjab is a blessed land and now the time has come to resurrect it for ushering a new era of progress and prosperity. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in reversing the trend of brain drain by opening new vistas for youth within the state.

The Chief Minister asserted that service of the state and its people is ultimate aim of his life. Bhagwant Mann said that god forbids if he ever indulges in favoritism to his family or relatives then it will be the day of his death warrant. He said that every breath is dedicated for the progress of state and prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister further said that after assuming the charge his government is making concerted efforts to restore the glory of state and cherish the aspirations of our great national leaders. He said that in mere first 10 months of its tenure the state government has fulfilled the major guarantees promised to people adding that top priority is being accorded to health, education and employment sectors. Bhagwant Mann said that so far 100 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been dedicated to the people and more than 400 more clinics are being opened on January 27 to provide quality health facilities to the people of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that 16 new medical colleges are to being established across the state to emerge Punjab as a hub of medical education. He said that fulfilling the promise of Corruption free governance, the state government has started Anti Corruption Helpline on March 23 on the occasion of Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Similarly, Bhagwant Mann said that the guarantee of 300 units of free electricity per month has also been fulfilled since July 1 adding that 87% of the households in the state have zero electricity bill in the months of November-December, 2022.

The Chief Minister said that within the first few months of the formation of this government, more than 25,886 youths have been given appointment letters for government jobs and the entire recruitment has been done purely on the basis of merit and transparency. He said that it is for the first time that the process of filling 2100 posts in Punjab Police has been issued and it has been decided to fill 1800 posts of Constables and 300 Sub-inspectors every year in coming four years. Bhagwant Mann said that state government is laying major thrust on putting the state on high growth trajectory of industrial development to open new vistas of employment for youth.

The Chief Minister said that due to massive efforts of Punjab government, entrepreneurs are showing enthusiasm for investment in the state and till yet investment worth Rs. 27,000 Crore has been firmed up in Punjab thereby creating 1.25 lakh jobs for youth. He said that 117 Schools of Eminence have been set up in 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to children. Bhagwant Mann also announced that in a major decision the state government has decided to deliver the old age pension to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps.

Slamming the union government for deliberately excluding Punjab’s tableau from the Republic Day parade, the Chief Minister said that it reflects the myopic mindset of those in power at the centre. He said that celebration of any national day without showcasing the contribution of Punjab is unimaginable. Bhagwant Mann said that this discrimination with Punjab is totally unwarranted and undesirable.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced that in order to solve the traffic problem of Bathinda city an ultramodern bus stand will be constructed at the outskirts of the city. He also said that to facilitate the people shuttle bus service will be started to the city. Bhagwant Mann also said that Urban Estate VI will be constructed in Bathinda at a cost of Rs 260 crore.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by parade commander Darpan Ahluwalia, IPS. He also took a salute from an impressive march past by contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Armed Police, NCC Girls and Boys, Bharat Scouts and Guides besides the Punjab Police Brass band and other school bands. On the occasion, the students of various local schools presented a colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance, PT show and group singing.

The Chief Minister also felicitated Freedom fighters and their kin in recognition of their valuable contribution in the freedom struggle of the country.

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