Chamkaur Sahib (Rupnagar), August 18:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday dared the Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to stop boasting about fake achievements of their government and explain that who will take the responsibility of the barbaric incident like Bargadi and lakhs of deaths of youth due to drugs which took place during their rule.
Addressing the gathering after giving a bonanza of several developmental projects to Chamkaur Sahib Assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that Sukhbir is very fond of boasting that a lot of development had taken place during their rule whereas he is mum over the incident of Bargadi where bullets were fired on innocent people or the drug menace which resulted in genocide of young generations is reflective of the long misrule of Akalis. He, while taking a jibe at Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, said that Badals had only worked for expanding their business without bothering about the state and its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the period from 2007-2017 was the darkest period of the state when Transport, cable, sand, drug and other mafias flexed their muscles in the state.
The Chief Minister said that it is on record that the drug menace spread its tentacles after it was patronized during the Akali regime. He said that the state government will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles.
The Chief Minister said that known for their opulence- acquired through illegal means, these leaders are now demanding facilities in the jail. He categorically said that those responsible for laying the pyres of youth in Punjab don’t deserve any sort of comfort in jail as they have to pay for their misdeeds. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a thorough enquiry has reflected that these leaders have amassed huge wealth through the drug trade adding that strictest punishment will be ensured to them for this crime.
Targeting leaders of traditional parties who supported a former Akali minister currently in Nabha jail on drug charges, the Chief Minister said that it is shocking that Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, and Ravneet Singh Bittu are openly speaking in his favour. He said that this exposes the collusion between traditional political parties adding that when in power, they’ve covered up each other’s wrongdoings. Bhagwant Singh Mann once again challenged them to make it clear to the people of Punjab that whether they are with the drug traffickers or against them.
The Chief Minister said that the traditional parties had mercilessly plundered the state and its people due to which they were ousted by the Punjabis. He said that all the big guns of these parties like former Chief Ministers Parkash Singh Badal and Charanjit Singh Channi, Akali leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Bikram Majithia and others were shown the door. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now these leaders are squabbling for power and are vying to outdo their rivals for the sake of power.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that a foolproof mechanism has been adopted by the state government for the entire recruitment process due to which not even a single appointment out of these more than 55,000 jobs have been challenged so far in any court. He said that it is a proud moment for the government of Punjab that these youth have been given government jobs completely on the basis of merit. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that transparent recruitment has increased the faith of youth in working for the state government due to which they have shunned the idea of moving abroad and are preparing for government jobs here.
The Chief Minister said that 90% of households in Punjab are receiving zero electricity bills, which has provided huge economic relief to the public. He said that the farmers of the state have been getting uninterrupted power for the paddy cultivation due to which they are not facing any problem. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has taken care of the interest of every section of the society due to which Punjab is marching forward.
Talking about Sadak Surakhya Force, the Chief Minister said that hundreds of lives have been saved since its inception adding that during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, data indicated that over 5,000 lives were lost annually in road accidents in Punjab. He said the formation of the SSF has led to a 48% reduction in such deaths, setting an example for other states as well adding that the force consists of specially recruited and trained personnel, including women, and is equipped with 144 modern vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the force is working very effectively and that even several states and the Government of India have appreciated this initiative.
The Chief Minister said that to provide quality education, government schools are being upgraded to Schools of Eminence and it is a proud moment that Punjab has ranked first in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing even Kerala. He said that 848 government school students have qualified for the NEET exam, 265 students cleared JEE Mains, and 45 cleared JEE Advanced exam. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no freebee or concession cards can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the state but education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious circle by raising their standard of living.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has increased the number of beds in the Chamkaur Sahib hospital from 30 to 50 and upgraded its status from a Community Health Center to a Sub-Divisional Hospital. Additionally, he said that the number of specialist doctors in this hospital has been increased from five to ten so that people can receive services from modern doctors. Previously, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there used to be only two Medical Officers (General) in this hospital, but now there will be four Medical Officers (General).
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that, earlier, there was only one operation theatre in the hospital, but now another operation theatre has been constructed. He said that five Aam Aadmi Clinics and 20 Ayushman Arogya Centers have been connected with the Chamkaur Sahib hospital. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that, today, a STEM mobile bus was also flagged off which will go to schools and help clear students’ concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The Chief Minister said that equipped with modern facilities, this bus will increase children’s interest in learning and showcase interactive activities in Science and Mathematics for students from 6th to 12th grade. He said that through this, students will also be able to perform experiments, which will spark curiosity in them. Bhagwant Singh Mann also inaugurated new Sub Divisional Hospital, Sports Kits to the budding players at the stadium.
On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr Balbir Singh and others were also present.
