Amritsar, November 7:
Continuing the campaign to provide employment to the youth, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today handed over appointment letters to 2,105 young people recruited in the Punjab State Power Corporation. This brings the total number of government jobs given to youth so far to 58,962.
At a ceremony organized at the auditorium of the Government Medical College, Amritsar, the Chief Minister said unemployment is the root of many social problems, and therefore, the state government is focused on eradicating it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that within about three and a half years of taking office, nearly 58,962 government jobs have been provided to youth, which is a record in itself. He said that today 2,023 linemen, 48 internal auditors, and 35 revenue accountants have been appointed in PSPCL and PSTCL.
The Chief Minister said that Since April 2022, a total of 8,984 appointments have been made in these two corporations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this campaign will continue because the state government is putting the highest emphasis on creating employment opportunities for the youth. He expressed pride that all these appointments have been made solely on the basis of merit.
The Chief Minister said that during the previous governments, youth could only get jobs through ‘cash and favor,’ but we have completely ended that practice. Now, he said that government jobs can be obtained purely on merit, without any recommendation adding that not a single appointment has been challenged in court. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this has deeply upset our opponents who are now making baseless statements against the state government.
Citing the example of Baba Sahib Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chief Minister said that this great national figure endured enormous hardships to achieve greatness, and youth should draw inspiration from him to excel in every field. Despite facing difficulties, he said that the Chief architect of the Indian Constitution attained education and touched remarkable heights in life. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Every young person should learn from his life and philosophy to achieve success.
The Chief Minister said these newly appointed youth are now an integral part of the government and should serve the people with missionary zeal. He hoped they would use their pens to help the poor and underprivileged. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged them to assist the public as much as possible so that every section of society benefits.
The Chief Minister compared the government to a runway that helps an airplane take off, saying the state government will help youths fulfill their dreams. He pledged that every possible effort will be made to help them realize their aspirations. Bhagwant Singh Mann emotionally appealed to the youth to struggle to carve out their own recognition and place in society.
The Chief Minister said that An idle mind is the devil’s workshop due to which the state government is trying to provide maximum employment to the youth so they remain away from social evils. He appealed all the youngsters to join campaigns like the war against drugs so that the state government can uproot this menace. Speaking about reforms in the power sector, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Powercom was drowning in debt when his government came to power, but they cleared Rs 2,000 crore of that debt.
Since July 2022, the Chief Minister said that 90% of households have been receiving 600 units of free electricity, which has improved families’ financial conditions. He further said that the government also restarted the Pachhwara coal mine to ensure a steady coal supply, making Punjab a surplus coal state.
Bhagwant Singh Mann further stated that the government purchased the GVK thermal plant in Goindwal Sahib for Rs 1,080 crore and renamed it after the third Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji.
The Chief Minister said that For the first time in Punjab’s history, a state government has bought private property, whereas previous regimes sold public assets to their favorites for pennies. Blaming past governments for plunging Punjab into debt, he said they inherited a debt of Rs 2.75 lakh crore but, sadly, none of the borrowed money contributed to Punjab’s development. His government, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that is spending every penny on the state’s progress and welfare.
The Chief Minister reiterated that traditional political parties envy him because he comes from a common background. He said these leaders cannot digest the fact that an ordinary man is running the state so effectively adding that since independence, they have misled people and deprived them of basic amenities, which is why the people have rejected them. Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked that these leaders, educated in boarding schools in the hills, are unaware of Punjab’s ground realities.
Criticizing the BJP-led central government for interfering in Punjab’s matters, the Chief Minister said the Centre is deliberately targeting Punjab. Dissolving the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, he said, was a direct attack on the state’s proud heritage. Punjab University is not just an academic institution but an emotional part of Punjabi identity, where three generations have studied. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that earlier, the Centre had tried to pressure Punjab into merging Haryana colleges with Panjab University, but his government had strongly resisted those moves.
The Chief Minister also said the Centre continues to act unjustly by pressing Punjab to release extra water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana and Rajasthan, but “we will never bow to such pressure.”
He declared that The central government must stop bullying Punjab. Punjab knows how to fight for its rights and how to claim them.”
Meanwhile, During the event, many of the newly appointed youth emotionally expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister.
Punjab State Power Corporation Chairman-cum-Managing Director Basant Garg and other dignitaries were also present.
