Chandigarh:
With the objective of promoting energy conservation and operational efficiency in the industrial sector, Aadiushmaa Engineers Pvt. Ltd., in collaboration with Ingersoll Rand and Johnson Controls (York Chillers), organized a special Customer Connect Program in Chandigarh. The event brought together representatives from various industrial organizations and technical experts to discuss modern energy-saving solutions and sustainable industrial practices.

Leading industrial groups including Leader Mankind, Tirupati Group, Zeon Life Sciences, Ruchira Paper Mills, and Mediforce Healthcare participated in the program along with several other industry representatives.

Addressing the gathering, Manoj Kumar Jain, Director of Aadiushmaa Engineers Pvt. Ltd., emphasized that “saving energy is equal to generating energy,” underlining the importance of efficient resource utilization in today’s industrial environment.

During the session, the Territory Leaders from Ingersoll Rand and Johnson Controls shared insights on advanced machine technologies, compressor energy-saving opportunities, and chiller energy conservation solutions. The speakers highlighted the role of efficient compressed air systems, optimized chiller performance, preventive maintenance, and advanced monitoring technologies in reducing energy consumption and operational costs in industrial plants.

The program also featured interactive discussions on real-time energy-saving challenges faced by industries. Participants exchanged ideas, shared plant-specific concerns, and explored customized solutions to improve efficiency and productivity.

According to the organizers, the event proved to be a valuable platform for technical exchange, strengthening industry partnerships, and encouraging sustainable industrial growth through energy-efficient practices.

Chandigarh, May 11 – The Haryana Government has initiated a comprehensive state-wide preparedness exercise aimed at strengthening emergency response mechanisms across all departments and districts.

Financial Commissioner Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra has issued detailed directives to senior officers across Haryana for the effective implementation of the Haryana State Disaster Response Manual under the Incident Response System (IRS).

The initiative is being seen as a significant administrative reform designed to ensure quicker, more coordinated and efficient response during disasters and emergencies.

The Incident Response System, constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has already been notified at both State and District levels in Haryana. The framework provides a structured mechanism for command, coordination and resource management during emergencies.

Dr Misra informed that the IRS framework clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of every stakeholder, enabling departments to function in a synchronized manner during situations such as floods, heatwaves, industrial accidents and other emergencies.

The Haryana State Disaster Response Manual has been prepared in line with the guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, and serves as a comprehensive operational guide for officers involved in disaster management across the State.

As Incident Commander at the State level, Dr. Sumita Misra has written to Administrative Secretaries of 24 key stakeholder departments, directing them to ensure that designated officers are fully acquainted with their responsibilities.

The departments include Home, Environment & Forest, Transport, Civil Aviation, Finance, Police, Irrigation, Agriculture, School Education, Health, Energy, Urban Local Bodies, Fire & Emergency Services, Public Health Engineering and Women & Child Development, among others.

The move is expected to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and institutional readiness across the State administration. In another important direction, Dr. Misra has also written to all 23 Deputy Commissioners of Haryana, who function as Responsible Officers under the IRS framework at the district level. The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure that all designated officers understand their assigned responsibilities and that regular training programmes and mock drills are conducted to maintain operational readiness.

Officers have also been instructed to strengthen district-level disaster response capabilities to ensure prompt action and better coordination during emergencies. The initiative aims to minimize loss of life, livelihood, infrastructure and property through better preparedness and quicker administrative response.  The State Government believes that a well-trained and clearly defined response system will significantly improve Haryana’s ability to tackle future emergencies in an organized and efficient manner.

Dr. Misra further informed that the State Government, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India, is conducting a State-level Mock Exercise on a flood disaster scenario on 14 May 2026 across 13 flood-prone districts of Haryana, namely Gurugram, Ambala, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar. An Orientation and Coordination Conference was successfully conducted on 06 May 2026. On 12 May 2026, a Table Top Exercise will discuss various response scenarios in detail, along with strategies to ensure success during the upcoming mock drill.

With all major departments and districts now aligned under a unified disaster response framework, Haryana is positioning itself as one of the leading states in institutional disaster preparedness and coordinated emergency management.

Chandigarh, May 11 — In a significant move aimed at connecting youth with emerging technologies and the rapidly expanding space sector, the Haryana Government has directed universities, colleges and educational institutions across the state to ensure participation of students and faculty members in the “India Space Lab: Summer Internship & Technical Training Programme-2026.”

Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi  has written an  official communication in this regard to all Administrative Secretaries of Haryana.

He has asked departments to widely disseminate information about the programme through official websites and institutional channels to maximize participation from students, researchers and faculty members.

Training in Advanced Space and Emerging Technologies

According to the programme details shared by India Space Lab, New Delhi, participants will receive online technical training in advanced fields such as Drone Technology, CanSat and CubeSat (student satellite systems), Rocketry, Remote Sensing using GIS, and Disaster Management. The internship is designed to provide industry-oriented exposure and practical understanding of emerging technologies linked to the space ecosystem.

The programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as research scholars from recognized institutions in India and abroad. Participants will work closely with different verticals and divisions related to space science and technology. Upon successful completion, candidates will receive internship completion certificates.

More Than 2,300 Seats Across Two Batches

The internship programme has been divided into two batches. Registration for the first batch was scheduled till April 27, while registration for the second batch will remain open till June 10. The first batch will run from May 1 to June 15, while the second batch will be conducted from June 17 to July 4.

A total of 2,315 seats have been allocated for the programme, including 1,270 seats in the first batch and 1,045 seats in the second batch. The registration fee has been fixed at Rs 950, while no separate training or internship fee will be charged. However, the programme does not include any stipend provision.

Linked to India’s Space Reforms and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ Vision

In its communication, India Space Lab highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Government of India’s broader push towards strengthening space education, innovation and technical research under the “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision. The organisation also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on India’s growing space capabilities and the increasing need to prepare youth for future technologies.

The letter further stated that following the success of programmes such as India Space Week and National Space Day, the Summer Internship & Technical Training Programme-2026 has been launched to encourage greater participation of students in space science and advanced technical learning.

Boost for Skill Development and Employment Opportunities

Education and technology experts believe that such initiatives can play a major role in equipping students with practical skills in sectors expected to drive future employment and innovation. Fields such as drones, satellite systems, GIS mapping and disaster management are witnessing rapid growth globally, creating new opportunities for skilled professionals and technology-driven startups.

Officials said the initiative could help Haryana students gain early exposure to cutting-edge technologies and strengthen their competitiveness in India’s evolving science and technology landscape.

Chandigarh:

Chandigarh BJP district – ‘Bharat Ratna Atal’ organised a grand district-level training camp under the ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Prashikshan Mahaabhiyan 2026’ at Barog in Himachal Pradesh. Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon, who is a member of BJP’s National Council & also Co-in charge, BJP Himachal Pradesh, participated in the same and addressed party workers and office bearers.

Tandon said that such training initiatives play a vital role in strengthening the ideological roots of the organisation and inspiring workers towards nation-building and organisational values.

He described the event as a ‘motivational confluence’ dedicated to enhancing the spirit of service and commitment among party cadres. Tandon said, “Workers are the real strength of the organisation”.

Tandon interacted with party workers and spoke in detail about the BJP’s functioning, organisational structure, public outreach and the crucial role of workers in strengthening the party at the grassroots level.

Emphasising the importance of continuous learning, Tandon said he firmly believes that the process of learning becomes truly meaningful only when it remains lively, interactive and dialogue-oriented.

“Such training programmes not only help workers absorb organisational values more effectively but also provide them with fresh energy, confidence and direction to work for society and the nation,” he said.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from the entire district team, district executive members, senior leadership, and all Mandal Presidents and General Secretaries. Their active presence made the event more impactful and successful, reinforcing the spirit of unity and dedication within the organisation.

Chandigarh, May 11

Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon on Monday advised Chandigarh Congress MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari to stop shedding crocodile tears for the people of Chandigarh UT by raising a hollow and insincere demand for 300 units of free electricity and free water for economically weaker families in the city.Reacting to Tewari’s appeal to Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria for targeted welfare measures for the urban poor and lower middle class, Tandon said the Congress leader has no moral right to speak about free electricity and water when his own party’s government in Himachal Pradesh has shamelessly gone back on its promises in this regard.
Tandon, who is also the co-in-charge of BJP for Himachal Pradesh, said that when the BJP was in power in Himachal Pradesh, people were getting 125 units of electricity for free . “In the election, the Congress promised to give 300 units free power but after coming to power, what to talk of giving 300 units free the Congress discontinued giving even 125 units free power to the needy. Therefore, it does not lie in the mouth of Tewari to demand free power and water for Chandigarh’s poor now”.
Tandon asked if it is not hypocritical on the part of Tewari that on the one hand he is demanding free power and water for people in Chandigarh and on the other, his party in nearby  Himachal has been unable to ensure regular water supply to people even in cities like Solan. In Solan, for the past two years, people have been forced to live with water supply only once in a week, Tandon said. Tandon alleged that the Himachal Congress government had lured voters with promises of free electricity during elections, but later withdrew subsidies and increased tariffs, causing immense hardship to common citizens. He said electricity rates had been increased from Rs 4.17 per unit to Rs 5.89 per unit, directly impacting household budgets.Tandon asserted that the BJP remained committed to transparent governance and genuine public welfare, unlike Congress, which he accused of using “freebies rhetoric” only during elections.

Chandigarh, May 10 – The general and by-elections for Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, Municipal Committees, and Panchayati Raj Institutions were held across the state by the Haryana State Election Commission were conducted in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner. State Election Commissioner Mr. Devinder Singh Kalyan stated that the Commission had made all necessary arrangements to ensure the transparency, fairness and credibility of the electoral process.

State Election Commissioner Mr. Devinder Singh Kalyan inspected various polling stations in Panchkula during the election process, taking stock of the voting arrangements, security measures, and voter facilities. During the inspection, he instructed officials to ensure that the voting process was conducted in a completely fair, peaceful, and transparent manner and to ensure that every voter exercises their franchise without any inconvenience.

He further informed that under the Urban Local Body elections were held for the Municipal Corporations of Ambala, Panchkula, and Sonipat; the Municipal Council of Rewari; and the Municipal Committees of Dharuhera, Sampla, and Uklana. Additionally, by-elections for various wards across different urban local body areas in the state were also successfully concluded. Similarly, under the Panchayati Raj Institutions, general and by-elections were held in various districts for the posts of Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members, Sarpanches and Panches.

The State Election Commissioner stated that the Commission continuously monitored electoral process at every stage and the elections were successfully conducted through the efforts of the district administration, police administration, and concerned officials of the respective districts. During the polling, special arrangements were made at all polling stations regarding security, law and order, voter facilities and complete compliance with the Model Code of Conduct.

He added that with the objective of ensuring free and fair voting, special surveillance was maintained at sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling stations. Micro-observers were appointed and monitoring mechanisms were also set up at the polling stations. The State Election Commissioner stated that in order to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, necessary guidelines were issued regarding the verification of voter lists, the identification of eligible voters and the scrutiny of duplicate or suspicious entries. Complaints and objections received were resolved in accordance with the rules to ensure that the transparency and credibility of the election process was maintained.

For the convenience of voters, essential amenities—including drinking water, seating arrangements, ramps and wheelchairs were made available at all polling stations. Special arrangements were also put in place for senior citizens, voters with disabilities and women.

Expressing his gratitude to the voters of the state, the State Election Commissioner remarked that the active participation of voters is paramount to strengthening democracy. He noted that the citizens of the state have demonstrated their commitment to the democratic values by casting their votes in a peaceful and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Commending the officers, staff, police force, and personnel from other departments deployed for election duty, he stated that the successful conclusion of the electoral process was made possible through the cooperation and dedication of all involved.

He also thanked the media for their support, through which the instructions and messages of the State Election Commission were conveyed to the voters from time to time during the elections.

CHANDIGARH, 10 May 2026:

Punjab has overtaken Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to emerge as the country’s top performing state in primary and middle school education, with the latest NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog report placing Bhagwant Mann Government’s education reforms at the top of national rankings.

The report showed Punjab leading in foundational learning, digital infrastructure and school facilities, with the state recording higher scores than Kerala in language and mathematics while dramatically expanding smart classrooms, internet access and computer availability in government schools.

Congratulating in a video message, CM Bhagwant Mann said, “In consonance with the dictum ‘You reap what you sow’, the state has invested sincerely in education. The state government upgraded primary and middle school education, strengthened the system, introduced smart classrooms and provided advanced training to teachers. Today, the results of those efforts have started showing. The state government sowed well, so now it is reaping excellent results.”

Highlighting Punjab’s achievement in the NITI Aayog rankings, the Punjab CM stated, “NITI Aayog, one of the Government of India’s premier institutions, has released new figures showing that Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle school education. In Class 3 language performance, Punjab scored 82% while Kerala scored 75%. Likewise, in Class 3 mathematics, Punjab scored 78% while Kerala scored 70%, and in Class 9 mathematics Punjab scored 52% while Kerala scored 45%.”

Sharing details of Punjab’s digital education progress, he added, “Punjab is ahead of Haryana in digital education as well. In smart classrooms, Punjab secured 80.1% whereas Haryana was at 50.3%. In internet facilities in schools, Punjab is at 88.9% whereas Haryana is at 78.9%. In electricity facilities in schools, Punjab has an impressive 99.9%, while computer availability in schools stands at 99%. Earlier, Kerala held the top position, but now Punjab has claimed the number one rank with a huge margin.”

Congratulating stakeholders in the education sector, the Chief Minister said, “I wholeheartedly congratulate all the teachers, students and parents. I am extremely happy to receive these figures showing Punjab leading in the field of education. The survey results for Classes 3, 5 and 9 have placed Punjab at number one because this is the outcome of four years of continuous hard work. For the last four years, the state government has focused on teacher training, modern teaching methods and smart classrooms, and today Punjab stands at the top.”

Extending greetings to everyone associated with the sector, Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “I have specially sent this message to congratulate all the stakeholders. From my side, I extend heartfelt congratulations to all parents, teachers, the Education Minister, every member of the Punjab School Education Board and everyone associated with the education sector. Punjab becoming number one in education is the result of their collective efforts. Slowly but surely, Punjab will become number one in every sector and every field.” He reiterated that the Punjab Government will continue making every effort to make the state a frontrunner in every field.

SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB, 10th May 2026:

Amid thunderous slogans, roaring crowds and an overwhelming outpouring of affection during a Lok Milni at village Saahib Chand in the Gidderbaha constituency, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday received siropas, portraits and blessings from villagers who gathered in huge numbers to welcome him. Riding on massive public enthusiasm, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a fierce attack on divisive politics, declaring that Punjab’s peace, communal harmony and brotherhood would never be allowed to be disturbed for political gains.

Warning that anti-Punjab forces are trying to drag the state back into dark days through communal polarization, the Chief Minister asserted that Punjab’s soil can nurture everything except hatred and animosity, and said the people of the state would unitedly defeat every attempt to spread fear and division. Targeting the BJP over its “politics of creating divisions between communities”, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab celebrates every festival together and would firmly reject such agendas, while also asserting that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026 would ensure that no sacrilege accused escapes punishment by exploiting loopholes in law.

Addressing the Lok Milni gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that Punjab’s spiritual and cultural legacy stands firmly against hatred and divisive politics, and warned that Punjabis must unite to defeat every attempt aimed at pushing the state back into dark days. He said Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints and seers who have shown the path of mutual love, tolerance and harmony. “Punjab has a very fertile land and anything can germinate on it except hatred and animosity. The social bonding amongst people is already very strong and people should come together to further strengthen it,” he said.

The Chief Minister categorically said that it is high time Punjabis united to give a befitting reply to divisive forces inimical to the peace, amity and communal harmony of the state. “Those trying to disturb communal harmony are enemies of Punjab because they again want to push the state into black days,” he said.

Targeting the BJP, the Chief Minister said the saffron party had gained power in Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal through divisive politics, but would never succeed in Punjab because Punjabis celebrate every festival together. “Some political parties are trying to divide people in the name of religion. BJP’s politics revolves around creating divisions between communities and then frightening both sides for votes. Punjab must outrightly reject such forces because the state has already witnessed dark days in the past which derailed its development,” he said.

Speaking about his ongoing “Shukrana Yatra”, the Chief Minister said he had undertaken the yatra to thank the Almighty for bestowing upon him the opportunity to enact the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026. He said huge gatherings of devotees welcomed him with blessings, flowers and siropas throughout the journey for enacting and implementing strict laws to stop sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. “Despite intense heat, mothers, sisters and millions of people have gathered on the route. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for showering their blessings and support,” he said.

The Chief Minister said whenever incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji took place, the psyche of millions of people was deeply hurt. He said there was always hope that culprits would be caught and punished, but loopholes in the law allowed them to escape punishment by declaring themselves mentally unstable. “Many times, culprits escaped the gallows by saying ‘my mind is disturbed’ or ‘he is mentally ill’, and they walked free,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

However, the Chief Minister questioned why someone claiming mental instability would specifically target Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji alone. “If someone is truly mentally unstable, then why does he only target Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji? Why does he not crash into a train engine or touch live electric wires? The truth is that such acts were often deliberate and orchestrated,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government had now plugged such loopholes through the new law by including a clause that even if someone is medically declared mentally unstable, their custodians, parents, guardians or caretakers would also face criminal charges. “There will be no bail for at least ten years and in severe cases punishment can extend up to life imprisonment,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the Almighty had blessed him with the wisdom and strength to bring this Bill after detailed consultations with legal experts. He said the Punjab Government had drafted the legislation carefully so that no future amendments or loopholes could weaken it.

Targeting the Badal family, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said they would never support this law because their own names were linked to sacrilege incidents. “People kept voting for them believing they carried the legacy of Baba Nanak, but they deliberately allowed Baba Nanak’s Bani to be insulted on the streets. They even ordered water cannons and bullets against peacefully protesting devotees. What else can be expected from them?” he asked.

The Chief Minister said ever since the law was passed, not a single Akali Dal leader was visible in Punjab because they had quietly left for foreign countries fearing their names would surface. “The Almighty does not bless dishonest people forever. These are the same people who once claimed they would rule Punjab for 25 years. Today they do not even have 25 candidates left to distribute election tickets because people have sent them into political oblivion,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

Lashing out at the Akalis, the Chief Minister said they were never sincere about bringing such a law while in power because their intentions were flawed. “The Akalis allowed sacrilege incidents to take place for political gains. They admitted their mistakes before Akal Takht Sahib but later denied them publicly. Those who can lie before the Takht can never be loyal to anyone,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann warned people to stay cautious of such leaders who only wanted political power to plunder Punjab. Coming down heavily on the BJP, he said violence, divisiveness and communal tension were a patent of the saffron party and an integral part of its politics. “BJP is trying to incite violence and fear in Punjab on the pattern of Bengal to win the ensuing polls, but its nefarious designs will never succeed in Punjab,” the Chief Minister said, reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to peace, unity and democratic values.

The Chief Minister said Punjab has always stood as a beacon of communal harmony and resilience, and any attempt to disturb its peace would be firmly resisted. “Violence is a brand of BJP’s politics and is aimed solely at garnering votes by creating terror and panic. This divisive politics is being pursued by BJP in every poll-bound state for electoral gains,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

He said now that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, 2026 had been passed, anti-Punjab forces would not be able to fulfil their nefarious designs. “Baffled by this, BJP is now resorting to acts aimed at disturbing Punjab’s hard-earned peace, but this will never be allowed,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister said he has always remained among people to seek feedback for framing development-oriented and citizen-centric policies, which has upset the opposition parties. “The entire opposition has joined hands against me with a clear-cut strategy to defame me by leveling false and irrational allegations. These forces are trying to sway people by creating fake and derogatory narratives, but people will teach them a lesson,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

The Chief Minister said the wise people of Punjab are fully aware of the dubious and treacherous character of opposition leaders and would certainly teach them a lesson. “These cheap theatrics can never deter me from serving the people of Punjab. I will continue to discharge this responsibility till my last breath,” he said.

Lashing out at the opposition, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said these parties had no agenda against the Punjab Government because the Punjab Government had taken several key decisions for public welfare.

Taking a jibe at the Akali Dal’s “Punjab Bachao Yatra”, the Chief Minister said its real name was “Parivar Bachao Yatra”. “After looting Punjab for 15 years, they should explain from whom they are trying to save the state,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister said the Akalis had mercilessly plundered Punjab, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally and patronised several mafias. “The Akali leadership can never be forgiven because generations of Punjab were destroyed as the drug trade flourished during their long era of misrule,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

The Chief Minister said the Akalis should be booked for the genocide of generations because the drug trade was patronised by them and flourished during their rule. “The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of millions of youth who fell prey to drugs supplied in the state in their official vehicles. Their sins are unpardonable and people can never forgive them for their long saga of misdeeds,” he added.

Coming down heavily on the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said these were opportunistic leaders who changed colours and stances like chameleons according to political convenience. He said everyone knows the family was a stooge of the Britishers and was conferred the title of “Sir” for hobnobbing against patriots who fought for the country.

The Chief Minister said the family had hosted a dinner for General Dyer after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919. “Not only this, they ensured General Dyer was bestowed siropa and forgiveness at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Jathedar Arood Singh, who granted the siropa, was the maternal grandfather of former Lok Sabha MP Simarjit Singh Mann,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

He said history cannot be erased and the dubious character of Badal’s ancestors is etched in history forever. “The hands of this family are drenched with the blood of patriots and their betrayal of nationalists can never be forgotten,” he added.

Training his guns against Congress, the Chief Minister said every Congress leader aspired to become Chief Minister and the party had more chief ministerial aspirants than ordinary workers. Taking a jibe at Congress leaders dreaming of returning to power, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Congress was a divided house that would collapse because of internal infighting.

He also attacked Congress over the attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib, the 1984 riots and several anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab decisions, which he said could never be forgiven.

Highlighting welfare initiatives of the Punjab Government, the Chief Minister said public money was now being spent transparently on schools, hospitals, roads and development. He said 90% households were getting free electricity, more than 65,000 youth had received jobs without corruption, roads had improved and toll plazas had been shut, saving nearly ₹70 lakh daily.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said no freebie or concession card could permanently eradicate poverty, and only education had the power to pull people out of the vicious cycle of deprivation. “Education is the light that illuminates the world by dispelling darkness. That is why the Punjab Government is laying special thrust on education,” he said.

The Chief Minister said Punjab securing first position in foundational education ahead of Kerala in NITI Aayog’s 2026 report was a matter of immense pride and satisfaction.

Highlighting the health sector reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government had launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna under which health cards were being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab, entitling every family to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh. He said more than 30 lakh beneficiaries had already received health cards and 1.65 lakh people had availed free treatment under the scheme.

The Chief Minister urged people to take maximum benefit from the scheme and said for the first time in Punjab’s history, farmers were receiving more than eight hours of uninterrupted power supply during paddy season. He said farmers were now getting daytime electricity for irrigation, transforming their lives.

Talking about the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, the Chief Minister said the Punjab Government had started the scheme to provide ₹1000 per month to other categories women and ₹1500 per month to SC category women above 18 years of age. “This is not a political function but a platform to interact with people. Earlier governments came and went but never bothered about the wellbeing of the masses. They only played musical chairs while plundering Punjab’s wealth,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

He said people eventually voted for the broom, resulting in the transformation of schools, hospitals and governance across Punjab.

The Chief Minister said Akali leaders were now begging for one more chance despite already getting five opportunities from the people earlier. “Instead of serving people, they looted Punjab and that is why people showed them the door. These parties only wait for their turn in power so they can plunder Punjab again,” he said.

Highlighting irrigation reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said it was a matter of immense pride that 68% canal water was now being used for irrigation and this would be increased to 85% by the coming paddy season. He said the Punjab Government had laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across the state and released 21,000 cusecs of water to benefit farmers.

“This water is equal to the supply of two Bhakra canals. Recharge points have been created in canals and rivers due to which groundwater levels have increased by two to four metres. This decision is aimed at securing the wellbeing of future generations because Punjab exists because of water,” the Chief Minister added.