ROPAR, 8th June 2026:
Addressing a Lok Milni programme among residents of Badwa village in Rupnagar (Ropar) on Monday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people of Punjab had decisively rejected the politics of loot, privilege and deception in 2022 by voting out seven former Chief Ministers and their families and placing their faith in an honest government. Taking aim at the Congress, BJP and Akalis, he said these parties have no development agenda for Punjab and remain interested only in power and vested interests. He asserted that while opposition leaders are unable to digest Punjab’s progress under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, every rupee of taxpayers’ money is now being spent on public welfare rather than on luxuries for those in power.
The Chief Minister also said that the BJP imposed anti-farmer laws, the Akalis misused religion for political gains, and the renewed Akali-BJP alliance is merely an opportunistic attempt to regain power, which the people of Punjab will firmly reject.
Addressing the gathering on Monday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Aam Aadmi Party is giving nightmares to leaders of traditional political parties who have misused power for their vested interests for decades. More than 700 farmers were martyred during the agitation against the anti-farmer laws imposed by the BJP. It is a fact that the BJP has always treated Punjab unfairly and today these parties are attempting to divide people in the name of religion for political gains.”
Taking a strong swipe at the renewed alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the alliance would prove politically disastrous for both parties because it is based neither on ideology nor on any commitment towards public welfare. He said, “This alliance is aimed solely at grabbing power in Punjab. Leaders of both parties have repeatedly spoken against each other and hurled accusations at one another. The people of Punjab are asking with what face they will now seek votes together. The people will not be misled by such political theatrics and will teach them a befitting lesson in the coming days.”
Highlighting the work of his government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has dedicated his sweat and toil to ensuring the all-round development of Punjab and that every passing day is witnessing new pro-people initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens. He said, “Unlike my predecessors, I have never taken even a single penny from the public exchequer. Rather, I have ensured that every rupee belonging to taxpayers is spent judiciously for public welfare. As the son and brother of the people of Punjab, I have focused on sharing their hardships and solving their problems instead of living a life of luxury.”
The Chief Minister said that no previous ruler had ever reached out to people in such a direct manner to understand their difficulties and resolve them with dedication. He said that earlier governments remained confined within the walls of palatial residences and rarely interacted with ordinary citizens. “Those arrogant politicians remained disconnected from the people and today they are baffled by every initiative of the Punjab Government. On the other hand, I remain among the people, seeking feedback and framing development-oriented and citizen-centric policies that are accelerating Punjab’s progress,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that his government’s continuous efforts for Punjab’s development have left opposition leaders frustrated. “They cannot digest the fact that the welfare of common people and the progress of Punjab are now the government’s top priorities. Their constant criticism only reflects their desperation. I may not have experience in looting public wealth, but I certainly know how to share the pain of ordinary people and resolve their issues. I am working with complete dedication for the prosperity of Punjab and its people, and that is what troubles the opposition,” he added.
Criticising previous governments, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that regions blessed with immense natural beauty and abundant resources were neglected for years because successive governments failed to harness their potential. He said that for decades only two political formations alternated in power while exploiting the sentiments of people and looting the resources of the state.
“The people of Punjab now have an alternative in the ‘jhaadu’(AAP’s electoral symbol), which has cleansed the political system of the state. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the people rejected seven former Chief Ministers and their families and entrusted power to an honest government. That historic mandate has played a pivotal role in transforming Punjab and making it a frontrunner among Indian states,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the AAP Government in the irrigation sector, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab utilised 96% of available canal water this year through an improved irrigation system, significantly benefiting farmers. He said that water that earlier went waste is now being productively utilised across agricultural areas. The Chief Minister said, “The AAP Government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across the state to ensure irrigation facilities reach every corner of Punjab. Around 21,000 cusecs of water have been released through these pipelines and watercourses, helping farmers meet their irrigation requirements. This quantity of water is equivalent to the supply of two Bhakra canals and will immensely benefit farmers.”
He further said that recharge points have been developed in canals and rivers to improve groundwater levels. “As a result, the groundwater table has risen by two to four metres in several areas. This demonstrates how taxpayers’ money is being utilised responsibly and returned to people through development projects, schools, hospitals, roads and other welfare initiatives,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the AAP Government has also closed toll plazas, saving people nearly ₹70 lakh every day. He reiterated that public money is being spent solely for public welfare and not for the benefit of a select few.
Highlighting healthcare reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that nearly 1,000 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been established across Punjab, where 107 medicines and 47 diagnostic tests are being provided free of cost. He said that no previous government in the last 75 years had bothered to provide such healthcare facilities to ordinary citizens. “These clinics have strengthened people’s faith in government healthcare institutions. Around 75,000 people visit these clinics every day for treatment, demonstrating the trust people have developed in this initiative,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that every penny from the state exchequer is being utilised for the welfare of Punjab’s people. He stated that more than 90 per cent of households in the state are receiving free electricity and that farmers are now receiving daytime power supply, a long-standing demand that had remained unfulfilled for decades. “At a time when valuable national assets are being handed over to select corporate interests at throwaway prices, Punjab has created history by purchasing a private thermal plant and naming it after Sri Guru Amardass Ji. This reflects our commitment to strengthening public assets rather than weakening them,” he said.
Speaking about women’s welfare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has launched the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna under which women above 18 years of age from all other categories receive ₹1,000 per month while women from the Scheduled Caste category receive ₹1,500 per month. “For ordinary families, especially poor households, ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 is a significant amount. More importantly, this assistance represents respect and dignity for mothers and daughters. The smiles on the faces of women benefiting from this scheme provide immense satisfaction,” he said.
Highlighting educational reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that teachers and principals from government schools are being sent abroad for specialised training to enhance their professional skills and improve classroom teaching standards. He said that Punjab has achieved the top rank in the National Achievement Survey conducted by the Government of India, surpassing even Kerala.
The Chief Minister said, “Students in government schools are now receiving specialised coaching for competitive examinations such as Armed Forces preparation, NEET, JEE, CLAT and NIFT. I am delighted to share that nearly 300 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools have qualified for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and NEET examinations. These achievements demonstrate the remarkable transformation taking place in Punjab’s education sector.”
He said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, farmers are receiving electricity during daytime hours for irrigation, which has transformed agricultural operations and improved farmers’ quality of life.
Drawing a comparison with the BJP government in Delhi, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while Punjab is continuously expanding welfare initiatives for common people, similar programmes have been discontinued elsewhere after governments changed. “These parties have always opposed policies aimed at benefiting ordinary citizens and remain reluctant to implement people-centric programmes,” he said.
Speaking about healthcare coverage, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first scheme of its kind in the country to provide cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh to every resident family in Punjab. “It is a matter of immense pride that Punjab is the first state in India to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage. This scheme has significantly reduced the financial burden on families while ensuring access to quality healthcare services. More than ₹650 crore worth of free treatment has already been availed by beneficiaries,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, farmers have been provided more than eight hours of uninterrupted power supply to agricultural tube wells during the paddy season. He reiterated that every rupee from the public exchequer is being spent for public welfare and development.
Highlighting infrastructure development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has launched a massive programme for the repair and upgradation of link roads across the state. He said that Punjab has approximately 43,000 kilometres of link roads and that a comprehensive project has been launched to repair and modernise them. “The AAP Government has taken another historic decision. Along with repairing these roads, their maintenance will also be ensured for the next five years. This will guarantee better connectivity and improve transportation facilities for rural and urban residents alike,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the AAP Government has also launched the country’s first dedicated Sadak Surakhiya Force to improve road safety and save precious lives on state and national highways. “Specially trained and newly recruited personnel, including women, have been deployed as part of this force. A total of 1,597 personnel supported by 144 fully equipped vehicles are working across Punjab’s highways. Since the launch of the force in February last year, road accident fatalities have declined by 48.10%,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the force has been deployed across 4,200 kilometres of accident-prone highways and functions both as a rapid response mechanism and as a deterrent against traffic violations. “Even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has appreciated this initiative on the floor of Parliament,” he added.
Speaking about the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Almighty had bestowed upon him the opportunity to serve humanity through this historic legislation. He said, “Under this law, anyone found guilty of ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) can face imprisonment ranging from ten years to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50 lakh. If the offender fails to pay the fine, their property can be sold. The purpose of this law is to ensure that future generations understand the serious consequences of hurting people’s sentiments by disrespecting Sri Guru Sahib Ji.”
Expressing hope that the legislation would act as a strong deterrent against beadbi, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji occupies a sacred place in the hearts of Sikhs and that it is the responsibility of the government to protect its sanctity. “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh. It is our collective duty to ensure its respect and sanctity. If the government does not take responsibility in this regard, nobody else will. The Akalis misused religion for their political interests and the people have not forgotten that. We are fortunate to have been entrusted with the responsibility of passing this historic legislation, which will help prevent such incidents in the future,” he added.
