Chandigarh:

 “A standalone transplant centre at PGIMER will become a reality. We will strengthen infrastructure, expand training, and ensure that transplantation services grow in both scale and impact,” announced Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, while addressing as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the ISTS Annual Conference 2026 at PGIMER Chandigarh.

Describing transplantation as the highest calling in surgical science, Prof. Lal remarked, “Transplantation is the most noble surgery—it restores not just life, but dignity and hope.” He paid rich tributes to the pioneers of the field, urging the younger generation to draw inspiration from their journeys. “These giants began with nothing—they stumbled, rose again, and never gave up. We stand today on the foundation of their sacrifices,” he said.

Reinforcing the importance of strong fundamentals, Director PGIMER emphasized, “Before becoming good transplant surgeons, one must first become a good surgeon. You cannot run before you learn to walk. Transplantation demands discipline, training, and unwavering dedication.”

Highlighting India’s legacy, Prof. Vivek Lal noted, “The first recorded transplant in medical history was performed by Sushruta. This heritage should inspire us to lead with both pride and responsibility.”

Drawing attention to patient suffering, particularly those undergoing dialysis, Director PGIMER remarked, “Dialysis is a harrowing experience. It is easy to prescribe, but extremely difficult to endure. Transplantation offers dignity, quality of life, and hope.”

Prof. Vivek Lal also acknowledged the silent yet critical role of transplant coordinators and donor families. “The true drivers of transplantation are those who work quietly behind the scenes—counselling families in moments of grief and enabling the gift of life. Their courage defines this movement,” Director PGIMER added.

The session was further enriched by the presence of three distinguished Guests of Honour—Prof. S. N. Mehta, ex Head of Surgical Disciplines, AIIMS New Delhi who shared his professional journey and the challenges of initiating transplant during the early with limited resources and ineffective Immunosuppression. On a similar note, Prof Mukut Minz, Former Head, Deptt. of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER   highlighted the evolution of the specialty at PGI Chandigarh.  He emphasised the perseverance required to build transplant program and talked about his early years where they started doing transplants initially in dogs to prove success of immunosuppressive drugs. Dr Vatsala Trivedi, Senior Transplant Surgeon from Mumbai also struggled in her years because of gender bias as surgery was considered a male bastion but persisted to start the first donation from deceased donor in Mumbai after passage of law in 1994 and subsequently started many such programs across the country with her grit and determination.

Speaking on the role of the Indian Society of Transplantation, Dr. Harsha Jauhari emphasized, “ISTS has been instrumental in fostering collaboration, advancing scientific exchange, and building a strong academic and ethical foundation for transplantation in India. Such platforms are vital for shaping the future of this life-saving discipline.”

The inaugural session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Prof. Ashish Sharma*, Head, Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER, who acknowledged the contributions of the faculty, organisers, and participants. “The success of this conference reflects our collective commitment to advancing transplant sciences and improving patient outcomes,” he said.

The session set a compelling tone for ISTS 2026, blending scientific vision with reflections on legacy, leadership, and compassion, while reaffirming PGIMER’s commitment to advancing transplantation as a life-saving and life-affirming discipline.

Chandigarh, March 21

Haryana Government has initiated a significant digital reform in revenue administration by approving the procurement of 4,156 smart tablets for Patwaris and Kanungos across the state. The initiative, approved by Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini & Minister of Revenue & Disaster Management & Urban Local Bodies, Sh. Vipul Goel, aims to modernise field operations, reduce procedural delays and improve the overall delivery of revenue services.

Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumit Misra said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to taking technology beyond offices and urban centres to the field level, where officials interact directly with citizens. She emphasised that the move is designed to benefit both field staff and the public by making services more accessible, efficient and transparent, particularly in rural and agricultural areas.

For decades, Patwaris and Kanungos have relied on manual records, hand-drawn maps and extensive paperwork, making the process time-consuming and physically demanding. With the introduction of these tablets, officials will now be able to conduct field surveys, record data, capture GPS-tagged photographs and upload information directly to central servers in real time. The inclusion of voice-to-text functionality will further simplify data entry, reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.

Dr. Misra informed that the tablets will be equipped with high-end specifications, including a large display, advanced processing capability, sufficient storage capacity and long battery life to support a full day of fieldwork. With 5G and LTE connectivity, along with GPS-enabled features and imaging capabilities, the devices are designed to function efficiently even in remote and challenging outdoor conditions.

All 4,156 tablets will be integrated with a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system supported by a two-year cloud-hosted licence. This will enable the government to centrally monitor, update, secure and manage all devices in real time, ensuring operational continuity, data integrity and accountability at every level, she added.

Dr. Misra stated that transparency and accountability have been built into every aspect of the initiative—from the procurement process, which will adhere strictly to prescribed government norms, to the day-to-day functioning of each deployed device.

The adoption of digital tools is expected to significantly reduce delays, minimise errors and curb discrepancies in revenue services. Citizens, particularly farmers, will benefit from faster, more reliable and doorstep delivery of services, thereby reducing the need for repeated visits to government offices.

The integration of all devices with a centralised management system will facilitate continuous monitoring, timely updates and enhanced data security. This will not only improve administrative efficiency but also ensure greater accountability and transparency in revenue operations across the state.

Dr. Misra stated that equipping field officials with real-time digital tools will make land records management, crop surveys and disaster assessments more accurate and efficient. She added that the initiative marks an important step towards building a more transparent, responsive and citizen-centric governance system at the grassroots level.

Chandigarh, March 21

With the objective of effectively curbing cybercrime, threatening calls, and extortion incidents, Haryana Police has launched the ‘Abhedya’ mobile app. This is the first mobile-based security platform of its kind in the country, which will help protect citizens from suspicious calls, threatening messages, stalking, and digital harassment. With this initiative, Haryana has become the first state in the country to introduce such a unique measure.

Strong action against extortion calls, policing strengthened through technological innovation
In this regard, Director General of Police (DGP) Haryana, Mr. Ajay Singhal, while addressing a press conference held today at Police Headquarters, Sector-6, Panchkula, shared detailed information about the features and functioning of the ‘Abhedya’ app. Additional Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police Panchkula, Shibash Kabiraj, and DCP Panchkula Srishti Gupta were also present on the occasion.
He stated that in changing times, criminals are using internet-based calling, fake numbers, and digital platforms to intimidate and defraud people. In such a scenario, this app will act as a strong protective shield for citizens. Mr. Singhal said that upon assuming office, he initiated a well-planned strategy to effectively curb extortion calls. He clarified that strict and clear directions had been issued in this regard by Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini under a “zero tolerance” policy, in line with which concrete steps have been taken by the police.
He added that through this mobile app, doctors, contractors, traders, and common citizens will receive wide-ranging protection and relief.
He further stated unequivocally that anyone attempting to create an atmosphere of fear and terror will be treated as a terrorist and strict action will be taken against them. Mr. Singhal explained that calls originating within the country are relatively easier to trace, whereas calls from foreign numbers pose a significant technical challenge. To tackle this challenge, technical experts of Haryana Police worked tirelessly to develop a robust solution, which has now been launched after successful testing.
He expressed pride in stating that this is a completely in-house initiative of Haryana Police, showcasing their technical capability and innovation. He informed that the app was tested by 25 selected users and was found to be fully effective. Further improvements and updates will be made as required in the future.

Access to the mobile app through the Superintendent of Police
To download the app, interested individuals will have to contact the Superintendent of Police of their respective district, after which authorized access will be provided. The app will be available on both Android and Apple platforms.
Mr. Singhal also stated that due to the proactive actions of Haryana Police, there has been approximately a 40% reduction in extortion calls and an 8% reduction in overall crime during January and February 2026 compared to the previous year. He expressed confidence that the launch of this app will help establish effective control over digital fraud, cybercrime, and extortion calls.

Functioning of the app
The ‘Abhedya’ app identifies calls and messages from unknown and suspicious numbers and blocks them before they reach the user. It specifically monitors international, virtual, and unsaved numbers and automatically rejects calls and blocks numbers if found suspicious.
The app also deletes suspicious chats, voice messages, notifications, and voice notes from the device, ensuring that users remain free from any mental stress or fear. Additionally, suspicious calls coming from abroad will also be monitored. While users remain protected from mental pressure, the person making suspicious calls will be traced by Haryana Police through backend systems.

Abhedya-2.0: A stronger security system
Information about ‘Abhedya-2.0’, the updated version of the app, was also shared during the press conference. Through this version, not only internet-based fraud calls but also regular calls can be controlled. It includes features to block unknown international calls, suspicious domestic calls (as per user preference), and private or hidden numbers, while allowing calls only from saved and verified numbers.

Direct benefits to citizens
This app will play a significant role in protecting citizens from threatening calls, extortion attempts, and cybercrime. It will curb anonymous communication channels used by criminals and make their identification and tracking easier for law enforcement agencies.

Strong strike against digital arrest: Dual OTP system to enhance security
Along with this, he informed that Haryana Police will soon implement a “Dual OTP System” to tackle emerging challenges like “digital arrest.” Under this initiative, work is being carried out in collaboration with officials of HDFC Bank, and in the initial phase, account holders aged 60 years or above will be included. Under this system, any OTP for financial transactions will be sent not only to the primary account holder but also to their family members—such as son, daughter, or any trusted individual. Transactions will be approved only after confirmation from both. Additionally, transaction limits for account holders will also be set to minimize the possibility of fraud.
Mr. Singhal stated that the implementation of this innovative system will effectively curb cybercrimes like “digital arrest.” He further informed that a detailed framework is being prepared in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India and various banks.

Commitment of Haryana Police
DGP Mr. Ajay Singhal stated that Haryana Police is committed to tracing every criminal and bringing them within the ambit of law. He appealed to citizens to make maximum use of the ‘Abhedya’ app and support the police in building a secure digital society. Haryana Police will continue to work tirelessly for public safety with its core motto of “Sewa, Suraksha, Sehyog.

New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 20
Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has forcefully raised the issue of restoring the heritage of Chandigarh – Sukhna Lake. Speaking under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, he drew the House’s attention to the alarming shrinkage of the lake, caused by factors including illegal encroachment in its catchment area.

Taking up the issue, Tewari said, “I wish to raise the matter of urgent public importance regarding the alarming degradation of Sukhna Lake. At the time of its creation, Sukhna Lake had a substantial water-spread area and depth and was designed to function as a major rainwater reservoir, aiding groundwater recharge, flood control and ecological balance of the region”. He added that over the years, however, the size, depth and water-holding capacity of the lake have reduced drastically due to unchecked siltation.

Tewari argued that despite repeated warnings by experts, proper and scientific desilting of the lake has not been undertaken in a sustained manner. “No serious desilting has taken place since the late 1980s when the then Governor Late Siddarth Shankar Ray had led an aggressive Shramdan with people and especially school students participation to de-silt the lakeover the decades. As a result, large portions of the lake have become shallow and prone to drying”, he said.

Tewari further said, “Simultaneously, illegal construction and encroachments in the catchment area of the lake have increased significantly, obstructing natural drainage channels and accelerating silt inflow into the lake. Even the Supreme Court has also expressed serious concern regarding the deteriorating condition and shrinking water levels of Sukhna Lake.”

Tewari recalled that when he sailed in Sukhna Lake even in the late 1970s as a school student, certain parts of the Lake towards the Lake Club had barely three feet of water. “The problem is endemic stretching back over five decades now. In this context, I therefore urged the government of India through the Rule 377 to take urgent, coordinated and time-bound action to remove illegal constructions, restore and secure the catchment area, carry out comprehensive desilting and implement long-term ecological restoration measures to protect this critical urban water body”, the MP demanded.

Chandigarh, March 17 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government has made a provision of Rs. 100 crore for the construction of the SYL canal in the Budget 2026–27 proposals, and therefore the opposition’s allegation that there is no mention of the SYL canal in the budget is completely baseless.

The Chief Minister was replying on Tuesday after the discussion on the Budget Estimates 2026–27 during the Budget Session of the Haryana Assembly.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that during the discussion on the budget, members of the Congress stated that they had been reading the budget speech for three days and found no mention of the SYL canal. They also claimed that in nearly 60 years of Haryana’s formation, there has never been a budget without a reference to the SYL canal. The Chief Minister clarified that in the Budget 2026–27 documents, Volume III, which presents detailed estimates of capital expenditure, a provision of Rs. 100 crore has been clearly made under the sub-head for the construction of the SYL canal on page number 204.

He further said that as per the records of budget speeches during the Congress tenure from 2005 to 2014, the SYL canal was mentioned only in two years—2005–06 and 2006–07. In the remaining eight budget speeches, the term “SYL” was not mentioned at all. Moreover, out of those ten years, only in two years—2013–14 and 2014–15—was a provision of merely Rs. 10 lakh made for the construction of the SYL canal. In the other eight years, not even a single rupee was allocated under this sub-head.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the present government, on the other hand, has been consistently making a provision of Rs. 100 crore every year from 2016–17 to 2025–26. He added that in paragraph 36 of the Governor’s Address delivered on February 20, 2026, it has also been stated: “My government is fully committed to protecting Haryana’s rights over its waters. We are fully committed to the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal.”

Chandigarh, March 17 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday launched a strong attack on the Congress, accusing it of indulging in ‘headline politics’ and making baseless remarks on the Budget merely to stay in the news.  Replying to the discussion on the state Budget during the ongoing session of the State  Vidhan Sabha, he said the opposition seems unable to recognise the pace of development in the state and is viewing the Budget through a distorted lens.

The Chief Minister was replying to the discussion on the Budget Estimates 2026–27 during the ongoing Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday.

Taking a sharp swipe at the Congress, he said, ‘Aarop lagao aur bhaag jao’ has become the key habit of Congress, instead of engaging in constructive discussion. He said the allegations that Congress makes on the streets are repeated in the House. It is unfortunate to see that instead of having constructive debate, Congress chooses to walk out every time. Opposition has neither read the Budget seriously nor understood the provisions made for development, and therefore is in no position to hold any meaningful discussion on the state’s issues. Such conduct exposes the opposition’s lack of seriousness, while the government remains committed to addressing public issues with transparency and accountability, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

Congress is resorting to baseless rhetoric merely to stay politically relevant- CM

In a sharp remark, the Chief Minister said the opposition has no substantive issues to raise and is resorting to unfounded criticism. He further said that 2.8 crore people of Haryana look towards this august House with hope, but the irresponsible conduct of the opposition is there for everyone to see. Opposition is not interested in giving constructive suggestions, but is instead focused on spreading misinformation and walking out of the House, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the role being played by the Congress is a matter of concern, as the opposition appears to be merely marking its presence, opposing for the sake of opposition, and spreading falsehoods.

Taking a poetic dig, he said, ‘Jo khud chal nahi paate raaston par, aksar wahi manzilon par sawaal karte hain’. He said that while several members gave meaningful and constructive suggestions during the discussion, which are welcome, some opposition members chose to criticise without facts. He remarked that it appeared as if some members neither listened to the Budget speech delivered on March 2 nor took the effort to read it later, and merely repeated in the House the same allegations they make on the streets. 

Targeting the opposition further, the Chief Minister said it may be compelled to appear adversarial to the government, but it would have been better had it contributed constructive suggestions in the larger public interest. He added that leaders driven by political motives often end up questioning outcomes they themselves are unable to achieve.

Congress must not object if Independent sought our support in Rajya Sabha polls- CM

Responding to the Opposition’s allegations regarding the Rajya Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said that the Bharatiya Janata Party had successfully ensured the election of its candidate, Sh. Sanjay Bhatia, to the Rajya Sabha. He asserted that in a democracy, every individual has the right to contest elections, and supporting an Independent candidate is well within democratic norms. “If the opposition had objections, they were free to field their own candidate. Why didn’t they?” he asked, adding that the Independent candidate had approached them for support, which they extended.

Taking strong exception to the remarks made by Dr. Raghuvir Kadian, who termed the election process questionable and alleged vote theft, the Chief Minister said such claims are completely baseless and unfortunate. He emphasized that neither are votes “stolen” nor are there flaws in EVMs, underlining that the strength of democracy lies in its ability to awaken the conscience, if it has been ignored. He termed such allegations as misleading and irresponsible.

Budget prepared with wide public participation, says CM

The Chief Minister said his second Budget has been prepared by incorporating suggestions from all sections of society, with nearly 5,000 inputs received from stakeholders. He was responding to remarks by senior member Dr. Raghuvir Kadian, who termed the Budget speech lengthy. Sh. Saini said there is no prescribed time limit for a Budget speech and such remarks undermine the seriousness of the exercise.

He pointed out that the length of the Budget speech reflects the wide consultation process and the inclusion of diverse perspectives, making it natural for the address to be detailed.

Farmer consultation claims ‘factually incorrect’

Rejecting the opposition’s allegations regarding lack of consultation with farmers, the Chief Minister termed such claims as completely misleading. He informed that a pre-Budget consultation meeting was held on January 15 at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, where 362 participants, including farmers, representatives of farmer organisations, FPOs, progressive farmers, agricultural scientists and researchers, shared their inputs.

Additionally, another consultation meeting was held on January 22 in Kurukshetra, where representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh also participated and gave valuable suggestions related to the farming sector.

He said it is incorrect to suggest that the Budget was shaped only through consultations with industrialists. Such allegations not only lack factual basis but also undermine the contributions of thousands of farmers, experts and stakeholders who actively participated in the process.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the Budget is inclusive in nature and reflects inputs from farmers, labourers, youth, women, industry and every section of society.

Chandigarh, March 17:

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian has issued a sharp challenge to the Union Government, asserting that it is no longer enough to merely acknowledge Punjab’s historic success in curbing stubble burning, the Centre must now do justice to the state by releasing its long-pending financial dues.

Reacting to data tabled by Union Minister of State for Environment Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh in the Lok Sabha confirming a collective reduction of over 90 per cent in fire incidences across Punjab and Haryana since 2022, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian emphasised that the Centre Government has finally admitted the truth, it continues to unfairly withhold Rs 8800 crore in Rural Development Funds (RDF).

He remarked that it is a profound irony that Punjab farmers are bleeding themselves in controlling paddy burning, while continuing to feed the nation as its “food bowl,”, but the Union Government refuses to pay the state its rightful dues.

Seizing upon the central government’s admission, the Agriculture Minister Khudian asserted that the figures had effectively silenced the critics who consistently targeted Punjab farmers and held the state responsible for North India’s air pollution woes. Those who ran smear campaigns against Punjab and claimed that stubble burning would never end should now eat their words.

“For years, our farmers were stigmatised and Punjab was singled out as the sole contributor to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. Now, the Union government’s own satellite data, presented formally in Parliament, has put to rest all false narratives. The reduction of over 90 per cent is the Centre’s own admission, backed by scientific evidence,” the Minister stated.

The Agriculture Minister S. Khudian highlighted the state government’s aggressive push for farm mechanisation. He disclosed that Rs 416 crore was utilised during the financial year 2025-26 to provide subsidies on procurement of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery to farmers across the state.

With an enhanced budgetary provision of Rs600 crore for the upcoming financial year 2026-27, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian assured that Punjab is firmly on track to offer a sustainable, long-term solution to the crop residue burning.

“With Rs 600 crore action plan formulated for financial year 2026-27, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is investing unprecedented resources to ensure that our farmers never have to burn stubble again,” S. Khudian asserted.

The Agriculture Minister demanded the immediate release of Rs 8800 crore pending on account of Rural Development Fund (RDF), which the Centre has been withholding for several procurement seasons. “We have approached the Supreme Court, we have knocked on every door, yet the funds remain withheld,” he added.

Appreciating the Punjab farmers  for their cooperation and willingness to adopt modern machinery, S. khudian said that the state  farmers have once again proven that they are the true annadatas of the nation by making the achievement possible. Our farmers have demonstrated that with the right support, they can achieve what was once considered impossible.

Chandigarh, March 17:

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has sought a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police Faridkot regarding the action taken so far in the case of Kuldeep Singh and others vs. State of Punjab and others.

Giving information in this regard, the spokesperson of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission said that in the case of registering an FIR against Jasvir Kaur, Panch Bansa Singh Panch Amrik Singh and others under the SC/ST Act, a complaint was received from Mrs. Amandeep Kaur Sarpanch, wife of Mr. Kuldeep Singh, resident of Gram Panchayat, Chand Bhan Block Jaito, District Faridkot, in which the date has been fixed as 25-03-2026.

 The spokesperson said that after considering the report received from the Punjab Police in this regard, the Commission has desired that keeping in mind the Special Leave Petition No. 13440 of 2025 pending in the Supreme Court, the complete report regarding the arrest report of the accused and other legal action should be sent by a DSP level officer after investigation on 25-03-2026.

DHURI, 17 March 2026:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said India would have looked very different had Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh been the country’s first Prime Minister, questioning why, even after decades of independence, the nation remains trapped in an outdated system for which revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha laid down their lives. He asserted that it is “writing on the wall” that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will return to power in Punjab in 2027, as fulfilling all guarantees within four years has left the Opposition without any issue to face the people.

The Chief Minister asserted while the Opposition remains busy fighting for power after having “looted Punjab turn by turn”, his government is committed to securing the rights of people, adding that Punjab has not forgotten the sacrifice of 750 farmers who lost their lives during the agitation against the Centre’s three farm laws.

Addressing a gathering after dedicating the newly constructed Sub Divisional Hospital, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a writing on the wall that owing to several people-friendly decisions, the AAP will again form the government in the state,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added, “People of Punjab are eagerly ready to constitute the AAP government again after the ensuing Vidhan Sabha polls in 2027. After assuming charge in 2022 from the native village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, our government took several people-friendly decisions. We have already fulfilled all our promises in four years and in the coming one year we will take the state to a new zenith.”

Emphasising a shift in governance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We have started a new tradition in politics by completing all promises in four years, whereas parties are not able to do so in five years. From day one, our government is cleaning the mess made by the previous regimes and we are not hesitant to take bold decisions for the welfare of the common man.” He added, “Now again the Congress and Badals are seeking another chance to plunder the state whereas the state has already suffered a lot in their hands.”

Highlighting public sentiment, he said, “The wise people of the state will never give them another chance and they will be sent to political oblivion after the polls.” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “Those leaders who had patronized the drug trade were put behind bars. These leaders not only patronized drug trade across the state but even sold and supplied drugs in their official government vehicles. Previously no one had ever dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but our government has done so and now they are paying the price for their sins.”

Calling out collusion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “An unholy nexus prevailed between these political parties as they were hand in glove with each other to loot the wealth of the state. When in power, these parties used to save each other by turning a blind eye towards their misdeeds. However, the AAP government ensured that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are put behind bars.”

Taking aim at Opposition leaders, he said, “Even today they are one and Charanjit Singh Channi, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Captain Amarinder Singh, Sukhbir Singh Badal and others have joined the chorus to target me. Earlier these leaders used to mock me by labeling me as an entertainer, but now they chant my name day and night out of fear.” He added, “In 2017, when AAP got several seats and became Opposition, they said nothing will happen. In 2022 they said nothing will happen, but our government took several path-breaking initiatives. Now again they say nothing will happen in 2027, but AAP will form the government again with a thumping majority.”

On the Opposition’s failure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The entire opposition has never raised a single real issue concerning the people both inside and outside the Vidhan Sabha. This reflects that they are only concerned about their own positions as they are only interested in power.” He added, “Desperate to attain power, the Akali Dal is posting AI-generated videos about me on social media to mislead people. This shows that in dearth of any issue against me they are baffled and making futile attempts to attain power.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Traditional political parties are envious because they are not able to digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively. People have lost faith in them due to their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance, which is why they were ousted in 2022.”

Continuing, he said, “These parties are resorting to cheap gimmicks to mislead the people. Earlier they were welcomed with garlands but now people greet them with defeat wherever they go. People have elected sons and daughters of common man who are performing their duties zealously, whereas these traditional parties failed miserably when they were in power.”

On past governance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These leaders plundered the resources of the state for their vested political interests. While Punjab was facing unemployment, brain drain and corruption, these leaders were busy minting money illegally. They built palaces and business empires at the cost of the people and the state.” He added, “They have sown thorns for Punjab and its younger generations by derailing its progress and prosperity. Their hands are drenched in this crime and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab.”

He further said, “These leaders are frustrated because we have exposed their ugly faces before the people and have become a threat to their power. They cannot digest that common people are now getting positions.” Taking a swipe at the Badals, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “They ruined businesses by luring people with false promises. It is said that if you write ‘Badal’ on a tree, it will dry up.”

Invoking Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh in detail, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Bhagat Singh was born in 1907, on 28 September, and was martyred on 23 March 1931 at just 23 and a half years of age. He fought for the country’s freedom and to drive out the British. His way was different because he was young and aggressive, while others like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi had their own approaches. But later, we reduced his legacy to merely offering flowers once a year on 23 March.”

He added, “If Bhagat Singh had lived, or had been given the opportunity to lead after Independence, the entire direction of the country would have been different. He had written extensively, his jail letters and writings were like a manifesto. He had said that he was not worried about whether independence would come or not, because it would come, but he was concerned about who would rule the country after independence.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Sixteen years after his martyrdom, the country became independent. By 1952, when the first elections were held, Bhagat Singh would have been around 45 years old. He should have been the first Prime Minister of the country. The entire map and destiny of the nation would have been different if Bhagat Singh had led India.”

He continued, “He had already warned that after independence, power should not go into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, the same happened. Even after 80 years, we are still trapped in the same old system, the same patwari-tehsil structure, and people are still struggling for basic needs like jobs and services.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Just as Mahatma Gandhi was called Bapu, Jawaharlal Nehru was called Chacha and Chaudhary Devi Lal was called Tau, I consider myself a son and brother of the people.” He added, “Traditional political parties have damaged the country. Congress shaped symbols for itself, while others used religion to seek votes, and people trusted them.”

On drugs, he said, “These parties destroyed generations of Punjab by pushing drugs into the veins of youth. Those responsible are now making hollow claims to mislead people, but they can never be forgiven.” He added, “It is not money but deeds that earn a place in people’s hearts, and we have worked tirelessly for public welfare.”

Listing achievements, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP government has started Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar scheme under which women above 18 years of age from general category will receive ₹1000 per month and women from SC category will receive ₹1500. This is a mark of respect for mothers and daughters and their smiles give me satisfaction.”

On employment, he said, “We want to put tiffins in the hands of youth so they stay away from drugs. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, so we are ensuring maximum employment. So far more than 65,000 government jobs have been provided.”

On infrastructure and agriculture, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Power tariffs have been reduced across all sectors. Canal water usage has increased from 21% to 68% and will reach 85% by next paddy season. Around 18,349 water courses spanning 6900 km have been revived and ₹6500 crore has been spent to strengthen the canal system.”

He added, “For the first time, 1365 villages are receiving canal water. Work is underway on more than 49,000 km of rural roads at a cost of ₹16,209 crore.”

On education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Schools of Eminence have been established with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms and labs. Teachers and principals are being sent abroad for training. Punjab has ranked first in the National Achievement Survey, surpassing Kerala.” He added, “Students are receiving coaching for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CLAT and NIFT, and many have qualified from government schools.”

On healthcare, he said, “Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, all 65 lakh families are eligible for cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh. Punjab has become the first state to provide free healthcare to all citizens, with 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics providing daily treatment.”

He further said, “Around 90% households are receiving free electricity. Farmers are getting more than eight hours of uninterrupted daytime power during paddy season. Tariffs have been reduced by 70 paise to ₹1.50 per unit, and the government has purchased a private thermal plant and named it after Sri Guru Amar Das Ji.”

Concluding, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “My sole agenda is the progress of Punjab and prosperity of its people. I am indebted to the people of Dhuri and will leave no stone unturned for the holistic development of this region.”

Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr Balbir Singh and Barinder Goyal were also present on the occasion.