IEP Chandigarh, February 21

          Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, on Tuesday, said that a mock session of the assembly for the students will be held in near future in order to remove lack of interest towards politics among the youth.

          Meeting the students of Government High School village Dod, district Faridkot, who visited Punjab Vidhan Sabha, S. Sandhwan said that it is important to educate students about politics because they are the future of the country, some of them can be leaders of the future. He said, there is apathy towards politics in the young generation and we are duty bound to remove this tendency. Thus, a mock session will be held in the Vidhan Sabha in the coming days with the intention of motivating students towards politics and creating their interest in politics.

          The Speaker asked the students of 6th to 9th standard that on their return, they would write an essay about what they experienced in the Vidhan Sabha and the students who will clinch first three positions in each class will be bestowed with Rs.3100, Rs.2100 and Rs.1100 respectively.

          He also sensitize students about the importance of the Vidhan Sabha and the process of enacting and amending laws.

IEP CHANDIGARH/BATHINDA, February 21

          As part of the ongoing drive against anti-social elements, Punjab Police have thwarted a major attempt of contract killing with the arrest of two persons after recovering a .32 bore pistol along with one magazine and four live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Tarandeep Singh alias Laddi of Jaito in Faridkot and Kuldeep Singh alias Kali of Sri Muktsar Sahib. Both the arrested accused persons are history-sheeter and wanted by the Punjab Police in extortion case and Haryana Police in car snatched on gunpoint case.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in an operation led by Counter Intelligence Unit of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Police teams have arrested both the accused persons, who were hatching a conspiracy to kill Malout-based person on directions of USA based Niranjan Singh alias Nick.

          Preliminary investigations suggest that accused Nick wanted to settle scores with his relative and had paid Laddi and Kali to kill him, he added. He said that accused Laddi had bought the pistol and ammunition from Madhya Pradesh to commit the contract killing.

          Divulging more details, AIG Counter Intelligence Bathinda zone Simratpal Singh Dhindsa said that accused Nick has so far sent at least Rs 2.50 lakh in the bank of Laddi’s mother for purchasing weapon from MP and other expenses incurred to accomplish the task. Further investigations are on, he said.

          Meanwhile, a case FIR no. 7 dated 21-02-2023 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC Fazilka.

IEP Chandigarh February 21

           The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state on Tuesday arrested a revenue Patwari Bakar Singh, of halqua Palla Megha, Ferozepur district for committing embezzlement of Rs 1,11,08,236 during acquisition of land in connivance with two private persons.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the VB said during the investigation of a vigilance enquiry, the Punjab government had acquired a land measuring 46 Kanals for the BSF to set up a border out post at New Mohammadi Wala near village Palla Megha in the year 2002 to 2012.

          He further added that the accused the above said accused Patwari, now a dismissed Kanugo, in connivance with other two accused Billu Singh of Palla Megha, Ferozepur district and Amritbir Singh of village Aasal Uttar, Tarntaran district had misappropriated Rs 1,11,08,236 in the said case. The accused Patwari had distorted the revenue records and entered names of the above mentioned co-accused as owners of the said land. Subsequently, he released two cheques of compensation amounting to Rs 55,54,118 each on the  basis of forged record to both the co-accused on 07-11-2012. In addition to this, the accused Patwari had acquired private land measuring 16 Kanals and 16 Marlas instead of adjoining government land in order to provide financial benefit to the other accused. 

          The spokesperson further added that on the basis of this enquiry a case FIR No 05, dated 21-02-2023, under section 218, 409, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and 13(1)(a), 13(2) of prevention of corruption act at VB police station Ferozepur. Further investigation in this regard was under progress and the other accused would be arrested soon as the teams has already been formed, he added

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

          Reiterating firm commitment of state government to make Punjab a frontrunner state in field of education, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday launched portal for admission in 117 schools of eminence.

          Launching the portal www.ePunjabschools.gov.in/school-eminence/ , the Chief Minister envisioned that these schools will enable the students of the state to excel in field of academics. He said that these schools will act as catalyst to transform the lives of students by giving a new direction to their lives. Bhagwant Mann said that the schools of eminence are equipped with the best class facilities and state of the art infrastructure to enable the students to compete across the globe.

          The Chief Minister said that exactly a month ago the schools of eminence were dedicated to the people of the state. He said that these schools will impart quality education to the students in field of medical (MBBS), IIT, MBA and Law to ensure that they become active partners of 21st century. Bhagwant Mann said that these schools will play a major role in imparting quality education to the students thereby excelling in their lives.

          The Chief Minister said that 75% seats in these schools will be reserved for the students of the government schools whereas the remaining 25% seats will be reserved for the private schools. He said that the parents can apply on this portal by March 10 and ensure that their children excel in field of education. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that quality education is imparted to the students of the state for restoring the pristine glory of the state.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21      

    As part of the ongoing drive to make Punjab a crime-free and drug-free state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Tuesday conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) across the state aimed at deterring anti-social elements and instilling sense of security and safety among common public. The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.        The operation was conducted from 11am to 4pm simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state and ADGP/IGP rank officers from Punjab Police Headquarters were deputed in each Police district to personally supervise the operation. The CPs/SSPs were told to plan this operation in a meticulous manner by identifying notorious/infamous mohallas/villages where drugs are prevalent or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for criminals and anti-social elements, to carry out this operation amid massive deployment of the police force. DGP Gaurav Yadav reiterated that making Punjab a drug-free state besides eliminating gangster culture, maintaining law and order, and detection of crime is the topmost priority of the Punjab Police.           Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who joined Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ropar Range Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Garg in SAS Nagar, said that the Punjab Police have not been leaving any stone unturned to make Punjab free from crime and drugs. “These kinds of CASOs at mass-scale level not only help in infusing fear among anti-social elements, but also boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops in the field,” he said. The ADGP said that during the operation, Police teams have cordoned off over 324 hotspot areas and as many as 5781 persons were frisked of which 205 persons have been arrested. The Police have also registered 187 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested nine proclaimed offenders. Apart from this, the Police teams have recovered 2.8Kg Heroin and ₹2.20 lakh drug money, besides recovering other drugs.           The operation was conducted after the identification of drug and crime hotspots through data analysis by district police forces, he said, adding that proper frisking of suspected persons and complete search of houses was done by the Police force under the supervision of senior officers. He said that sniffer dogs were also deputed in these hotspots to ensure strict vigil.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government will present its budget for the financial year 2023-24- on March 10 as the budget session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held from March 3rd to March 24th.

This was decided at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat I.

Disclosing the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet authorized the Governor to convene the session, as per Article 174 of the Constitution of India.

As per the schedule, the budget session will commence on March 3 at 10 am with Governor’s address followed by obituary references at 2 pm.  On March 6 the motion of thanks and discussion on Governor’s Address will take place at 10 am till the conclusion of the same. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 2021-22, presentation of supplementary grants for year 2022-23 and Appropriation bill on supplementary demands for grants for year 2022-23 will be held on March 7th, followed by legislative business.

Non official business will be held on March 9th and Budget estimates for the year 2023-24 will be presented before the House on March 10th followed by general discussion on the budget. General discussion on the Budget estimates for the year 2023-24 will resume at 10 AM on March 11 till its conclusion and voting. Non-official business will be conducted at 10 am on March 22, followed by legislative business on March 24th after which the house will be adjourned sine-die.

EX-POST-FACTO APPROVAL TO THE OFFICERS COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE SOP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPS

The Cabinet also gave ex-post-facto approval to the officers committee constituted by the Finance Department to formulate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the old pension scheme in Punjab. The Government of Punjab, Department of Finance, vide its Notification No. 02/01/2022-2FPPC/153-159, dated 18.11.2022, has implemented the Old Pension Scheme for all employees of Government of Punjab who are covered under Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS). In continuation of this notification, the ex-post-facto approval has been given to the officers committee constituted by the Finance Department’s Notification Number 02/01/2020-22FPPC/09 dated 27.01.2023 to formulate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of the old pension scheme in Punjab and to consider the recommendations of officers Committee, the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted vide Notification No. 1/196/2022-1cab/530 dated 31.01.2023 issued by the General Administration Department (Cabinet Affairs Branch) and the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s order dated 13.02.2023.

GREEN SIGNAL TO NOTIFY AFFORDABLE COLONY POLICY, 2023

With a view to provide houses at affordable prices to the Lower Income Group in the State, the Cabinet also gave green signal to notify Affordable Colony Policy, 2023. The policy proposes to increase the saleable area from 62% to 65% and further to reduce CLU/EDC/LF/SIF/UDF charges to 50% of the applicable charges in respective zones in the State of Punjab (except in GMADA Regional Plan and Master Plans/ Proposed Land Use Plan Lalru in GMADA Region where there shall not be any reduction in charges). Further, for quick approval of the project, power for the grant of approval of CLU, License and Building Plan shall also be delegated to Chief Administrator of the concerned Development Authority (at local level) as a single agency.

APPROVES “INTEGRATED LOGISTICS & LOGISTICS PARK POLICY”

          With the aim of holistic development of the Logistics Sector of State, the Cabinet also accorded approval to “Integrated Logistics & Logistics Park Policy”.  Punjab has built a robust logistics infrastructure and has carried out various regulatory and structural reforms and has also designated Logistics as thrust sector. The policy offers several incentives for the development of infrastructure like MMLPs, Logistics Parks and Trucker Parks/Wayside Amenities Further, to ensure de-carbonization of the sector.

The policy incentivizes use of Commercial EVs for logistics and non-EV Refrigerated vehicles (Reefer vehicles). In order to ensure balanced regional development specialized services and warehouses in border districts have also been incentivized. The Policy further envisages a single integrated approval system for setting up units in the logistics sector, which will usher in a new era of development of logistics sector resulting in transformation of Punjab’s economy from agri-focused to manufacturing based, MSMEs becoming more competitive and enhanced employment opportunities.

GIVES NOD TO IMPLEMENT ‘PUNJAB YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM’

The Cabinet also gave nod to implement ‘Punjab Young Entrepreneur Program’, which envisions development of entrepreneurial skills and mindsets in students of government schools, to prepare them for the real world – as job creators and problem solvers for the country in general and Punjab in particular. Under this program a Business Blasters Program has been launched as per which the Department will provide seed money to a group of students to develop and implement a business idea, @2,000/- per student. As the experience of using seed money for implementing the business idea is at the core of the program, benefits or losses, if any, will not be recovered by the Department from the students. The teacher/ schools heads will exercise oversight on utilization of seed money and the profit and loss statements maintained by the students.

NOD TO CHANGE NOMENCLATURE OF THE OFFICES OF THE HEADS OF SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY WINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to change the nomenclature of the offices of the Heads of Secondary and Elementary wings of the Department of School Education from Director Public Instructions (Secondary Education) and Director Public Instructions (Elementary Education) to Directorate of School Education (Secondary) and Directorate of School Education (Elementary).

APPROVAL TO CONVERT 101 TEMPORARY POSTS OF DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE/ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE

The Cabinet also gave nod to convert 101 temporary posts of District and Sessions Judge/Additional District and Sessions Judge, whose pay scale (Entry level) is Rs.51,550-1230-58,930-1380-63,070/- and 270 temporary posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate, whose pay scale (Entry level) is Rs 27,700-770-33.090 920 40,450-1080-44,770/- of State Subordinate Courts into permanent posts to  further strengthen the judicial system in the State.

IEP Chandigarh, February 21

Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today gave nod to the Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Daily Wages, Work Charged and Temporary employees thereby paving way for regularising the services of 14417 employees.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat- I.

Divulging the details, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the services of 13,000 employees have already been regularised. Under the regime of the earlier Governments, various appointments to ‘Group C’ and ‘Group D’ level posts , have been made on contract/temporary basis on the basis of imminent requirement and exigencies of service. Some of such employees have now put in a period of 10 years and more with State and they have given their prime years of life in service of the State.

The Government has felt that now at this stage, to relieve them or to replace them in this capacity in service with another set of people will be unjustified and improper. Thus, being a Welfare State and to protect the interest of these contractual/ temporary employees, state has formulated the present policy, under Article 162 read with entry 41 of list-Il of the Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India, to ensure that such employees do not suffer from uncertainty and harassment and to grant them a security of tenure. The state has taken a policy decision to continue such desirous suitable employees, who fulfill the eligibility conditions, in service till the age of 58 years by placing them in a special cadre.

The employees who have worked on adhoc, contractual, daily wages, work charged or temporary basis for a continuous period of minimum ten years till the issuance of present policy will be regularized. The applicant must have the requisite qualification and experience for the post in terms of rules if any at the time of placement in the Special Cadre. The work and conduct of the applicant must have remained satisfactory as per the assessment of the department/employer during the period of 10 years service.

For calculation a period of ten years, the employee must have worked for a period of minimum 240 days in each of these ten calendar years and notional breaks will not be considered while calculating a period of ten years. For the purpose of grant of continuation to the contractual/ad-hoc/ temporary employees etc. and giving them security of tenure, subject to good work and conduct, till the age of 58 years, they will be placed on a post, which shall not be a cadre post, by creating special cadre of posts.

These employees will not be placed in the regular cadre of sanctioned posts in the service under the statutory service rules and will form a special cadre of posts created especially for them. The process of placement of beneficiary employee, subject to clause 2 and 3 of this Policy, shall commence on the submission of the Application Form by an employee seeking placement under this Policy.  Application form must be accompanied with all required documents as prescribed and incomplete application form shall be liable to be summarily rejected.

GREEN SIGNAL TO PUNJAB STATE ADVENTURE TOURISM POLICY

The Cabinet also gave green signal to Punjab State Adventure Tourism Policy for attracting private investment in the stale. The Policy provides a transparent mechanism for approval of Adventure Tourism Projects which will be cleared only by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Chief Minister and the various parameters on which each project will be evaluated. A single-window system and ease of Inter- Departmental Coordination at various levels has been suitably incorporated in it.

As per the policy permissions to commence Adventure Sports in the State shall initially be given to recognized National Adventure Sport Federations as they are best equipped to handle the safety issues. As far as possible the sites shall be given free of cost for a period of two years in order to give an initial boost to the development of Adventure Tourism in the State. These sports are expected to generate a lot of local employment as well as overall economic upliftment of the area where these are organized.

GIVES NOD TO THE PUNJAB STATE WATER TOURISM POLICY

The Cabinet also gave nod to the Punjab State Water Tourism Policy which seeks to give a big boost for attracting private investment near Water Bodies in the state. The Policy provides a transparent mechanism for approval of Water Tourism Projects. Keeping in view the scarcity of water resources and the huge economic potential these offer, Water Tourism Projects are proposed to be cleared only by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Chief Minister. The Policy focuses on long term economic gain and the choice of projects shall depend on the future growth potential and their ability to boost the image of the State as a popular and “smart” tourist destination.

 IEP Chandigarh, February 21 

Punjab Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday approved an amendment in Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, 1958 by insertion of new rules 23 and 24, after existing rule 22, to promote the Punjabi Language the mother tongue of Punjab in a big way. A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat- I. Divulging the details a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per the amendment it will be mandatory for every establishment to display its name on the Name Board in Gurmukhi script in Punjabi. However, other languages can also be used to display name on the board in addition to the display in Gurmukhi script in Punjabi. Those establishments, who have not done so far, will have to do so within six months of coming into force of these rules. Whoever contravenes the new provisions shall be punishable with fine not exceeding rupees one thousand for first offence and rupees two thousand for every subsequent offence. SIMPLIFIES PROCESS TO ENSURE CLU WITH 45 DAYS In order to give boost to economic activity in the state by encouraging real estate sector, the Cabinet also gave nod to simplify the process of issuing Change of Land Use (CLU) within 45 days. Permission of CLU is mandatory to start any construction/activity on any parcel of land in Punjab only after which permission of Layout plan/Building Plan and license to colony is granted for that activity. This whole process sometimes takes more than 6 months which cause undue delay in the project. But now permission of CLU, Layout Plan/Building Plan and license to colony will be given at a single time which will reduce the time-line for granting the above said permission to 45-60 days. EXTENDS RESERVATION TO RIOT/ TERRORIST VICTIMS TILL DECEMBER 31, 2026 The Cabinet also gave a go ahead to extend reservation of 5% to Riots/ Terrorist Victims in allotment of plots/ houses by Urban Estates/ Improvement Trusts/ Pepsu Township Development board and others without any financial concession. The policy had expired on December 31, 2021 but with this decision the policy will be extended for five more years, i.e., upto December 31, 2026. NOD TO “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS TRANSPORTATION POLICY 2023” AND “THE PUNJAB FOOD GRAINS LABOUR & CARTAGE POLICY 2023” The Punjab Cabinet also approved “The Punjab Food grains Transportation Policy 2023” for the transportation of Food grains and “The Punjab Food grains Labour & Cartage Policy 2023” for the Labour & Cartage of Food grains in the state of Punjab. Government of Punjab through its State Procurement Agencies and FCI procures food grains from various designated centres/mandis. During the year 2023, works of food grain transportation, Labour and Cartage of food grains will be allotted through a competitive and transparent online tender system. Punjab government has sought an upward revision of 25% in wage of labours from the Food Corporation of India. However, the central agency has allowed only 20% due to which the state government has agreed for gap funding of 5% to secure rights of labours for which state government will spend Rs 7-8 crore.  EX-POST FACTO APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE SALARY OF PATWARI ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS AND FILLING 1766 REGULAR POSTS OF PATWARIS FROM RETIRED PATWAIS/ KANUNGOS ON CONTRACTUAL BASIS In wake of administrative requirements, the Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to increase the salary of Patwari on contractual basis from Rs. 25000/- to Rs. 35000/- and to extend the upper age limit from 64 to 67 years w.e.f. August 16, 2022. As Revenue Department is one of the major departments of the State and the major duty of Revenue Patwaris is to maintain, update and maintain old revenue record. However, due to vacant posts of revenue patwaris it has became difficult to run the affairs of the Revenue Department in an efficient manner due to. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 20

          Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayats and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has ordered the officials to ensure that the entire work was to be done in Punjabi language.

          Mr. Dhaliwal congratulated all Punjabis on ‘Punjabi Diwas’ (February 21) and said that the state government led by Bhagwant Mann has taken a big decision and announced to give top priority to Punjabi language on all boards across the state. He said that the state government has made it mandatory to write Punjabi language at the top of all government, private or other boards, after that any language can be written.

          The cabinet minister directed the senior and district officials of the departments under his portfolio to give priority to Punjabi in writing the names of all the boards, notice boards and names of their offices, while other languages should be written after Punjabi.

          The minister appealed the Punjabis that they should use Punjabi in their families to ensure existence of their mother tongue.

          Mr. Dhaliwal invited the entire Punjabi community and said that Punjabi is our mother tongue and it is our moral duty to respect and give priority to the mother tongue. He said that Punjabi is spoken in 150 countries. While citing a report of UN, he said that Punjabi has got 12th place out of 7000 languages around the world. He said that it is expected that as many as 2000 languages would disappearing in the next 50 years and Punjabi is also one of them, as revealed in this report. He said that the state government will take all meaningful steps to promote the mother tongue Punjabi.

IEP Ludhiana, February 20

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to clean Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday dedicated STP and other projects Worth Rs 315.50 crore  for cleaning and rejuvenation of Buddha Nullah.

The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering during dedication of Punjab’s biggest STP here, expressed deep concern over the polluted Buddha Nullah adding that this was the result of the callousness of successive governments of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that he had been raising this issue as MP too because the polluted water from Nullah mixes with Satluj river and causes havoc in other parts of state too. He said that the villages in Jalalabad (Fazilka) were worst affected by it but the former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who represented Jalalabad never did anything to solve this problem resulting in miseries for the people.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister envisioned that the newly constructed STP with capacity of 225 MLD will be instrumental in the cleaning of the Buddha Nullah in the city. He said that this will act as a catalyst in checking the water pollution in this nullah which was flowing in the heart of the city. Bhagwant Mann said that 14 kilometre of this nullah crosses from within the city adding that a detailed project has been chalked out for the cleaning of this nullah.

The Chief Minister said that as per this detailed project has been chalked out at a cost of Rs 650 crore under AMRUT and Smart City scheme. He said that as per the funding pattern the state government is spending Rs 392 crore on this project whereas the Union government is giving a matching grant of Rs 258 crore. Bhagwant Mann said that today projects worth Rs 315.50 crore including STP with 225 MLD capacity and others have been dedicated to the people.          

The Chief Minister further said that corruption was the enemy of Punjab and its people adding that his government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the corrupt elements in the state. He said that his government has started a crusade against corruption due to which the leaders of corrupt parties are hatching conspiracies against him. Bhagwant Mann said that baffled by this drive, the corrupt leaders are stooping too low by passing derogatory personal comments against him but this will not deter him from wiping out corruption from the state.

The Chief Minister reiterated that anyone who had plundered the money of Punjab and its people will be made accountable for his sins against the state. He said that the corrupt elements will be put behind the bars and will not be spared at any cost. Bhagwant Mann solicited fulsome support and cooperation from the people in the tirade of the state government against the corruption.

Talking about the ‘Sarkar Aapke Dwaar’ scheme, the Chief Minister said that it is aimed at ensuring that the officers especially the Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners maximize their field visits, especially in villages, and interact with the people by going to villages. He said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people in getting their day-to-day works done easily besides ensuring good governance to them. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in better functioning of the offices along with better acquaintance with the ground realities.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has fulfilled the guarantee of giving 300 units of free electricity per month from July 1. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that 87% of the households in the state have zero electricity bills in the months of November-December, 2022. Bhagwant Mann said that he hails from a common family and knows well what are the problems being faced by them.

The Chief Minister unequivocally said that the state has not even a single drop of surplus water to share with any other state. He said that there is no question of initiating the work on SYL as it is not in the interest of the state and its people. Bhagwant Mann reiterated the firm commitment of his government to safeguard the interests of the state at all costs.

The Chief Minister also assailed the traditional parties of the state for working against the interests of the state. He said that these parties connived with the toll and sand mafia to extend largesse to them by backstabbing the people of state. However, Bhagwant Mann said that his government has shut the toll plazas who’s term has expired adding that 33 public mines have been dedicated to people for ensuring cheap availability of sand to people.