Chandigarh, July 5 :
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said that exemplary punishment will be ensured for those who have ruined the lives of the youth by selling drugs.
Addressing a gathering after dedicating roads and libraries worth around ₹350 crore to the residents of the holy city, the Chief Minister, accompanied by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, said that the Jarnails who had patronised the drug trade have already been put behind bars. He said that no one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now his government has done so and they will pay price for their sins. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people that exemplary punishment will be ensured for these leaders so that no one ever dares to commit this sin again.
The Chief Minister said the state government has launched a campaign titled ‘Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) to combat the drug menace. He emphasized that the boundless energy of the youth is being channelised in a positive direction. Highlighting the grave loss of manpower Punjab has suffered due to drugs, he said the campaign has been launched with the active support of the people to eradicate this scourge from the state.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government will not remain a silent spectator while smugglers flourish at the cost of victims. He said the supply lines of drugs have already been disrupted and major players involved in this heinous trade have been arrested. For the first time, the illegally acquired properties of drug smugglers are being confiscated or demolished, to act as a deterrent, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister also announced the launch of a massive road network project, covering 19,000 kilometers of link roads, with a total cost of ₹3,500 crore. He criticised the Union Government for withholding ₹6,000 crore of the state’s share in the Rural Development Fund (RDF), asserting that if released, every road in the state could be built. Despite this, he said the state is optimally utilising available funds to improve infrastructure.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the state government is making strenuous efforts for the welfare of all sections of society. He said public celebrations and events of joy had disappeared under previous governments that neglected development and prosperity. Those regimes, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, deceived the people for decades, stalling the state’s growth.
The Chief Minister stated that the people of Punjab have rejected political parties that played musical chairs with power every five years to loot the state. The current government, he said, has been given a mandate to serve, and it is committed to fulfilling people’s expectations. Bhagwant Singh Mann added that opposition leaders criticize him because they are envious of the pro-people decisions made by his government.
The Chief Minister expressed pride in the fact that over 54,000 jobs have been provided to the youth, purely on the basis of merit, without corruption or nepotism. He said this has made youth active participants in the socio-economic development of Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out that upon assuming office, his government scrapped multiple pensions for MLAs, thereby saving significant public funds.
Additionally, the Chief Minister said that 17 toll plazas have been closed, resulting in daily savings of ₹64 lakh for the common people. He said that Since the launch of free power guarantee in 2022, 90% of households are receiving free electricity and have zero bills, significantly easing the financial burden on families. Bhagwant Singh Mann also highlighted that, in addition to domestic consumers, farmers are receiving free and uninterrupted power, ensuring their vital role in the economy is supported.
Speaking on irrigation, the Chief Minister said that when he assumed office, only 21% of canal water was used for agriculture, whereas today it has increased to 75%, ensuring water supply even to tail-end farmers and conserving groundwater. He announced that Punjab has launched the country’s first dedicated Sadak Surakhya Force (Road Safety Force) to improve highway safety. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that force includes 1,597 freshly recruited, specially trained personnel, including women, equipped with 144 fully modern vehicles.
The Chief Minister said that since its launch in February last year, the state has seen a 48.10% reduction in road accident fatalities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said several states and even the Government of India have praised this initiative. He further mentioned that the government has amended rules to change physical criteria for recruiting women in fire services, making Punjab the first state in India to do so adding that previous governments ignored such progressive reforms.
The Chief Minister said that earlier governments divided people along religious lines and were indifferent to their well-being. He cited the example of taxes being levied on vehicles carrying holy scriptures, a practice his government has since abolished. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that Punjab enjoys communal harmony, peace, and unity, which are crucial for development.
The Chief Minister noted that, due to the government’s efforts, investments worth more than one lakh crore have been secured in the last three years, with companies like Tata Steel, Sanatan Textiles, and others choosing to invest in the state. He said that these investments are backed by Punjab’s excellent infrastructure, skilled workforce, and business-friendly environment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making every effort to put Punjab on the
On this occasion, Cabinet Ministers Harbhajan Singh ETO and Gurmeet Singh Khudian, among others, were also present.
