Patiala, January 26:
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday vowed to crush the forces inimical to the state and foil their conspiracies for disturbing peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity of Punjab.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national tricolor flag during a function to commemorate 76th Republic Day in local Polo Ground, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is the land of the gurus, saints, seers, martyrs and has always been a torch bearer to mankind for values of brotherhood and communal harmony. He said that maintaining the hard earned peace in the state is the first and foremost priority for his government adding that no one will be allowed to disturb it. Bhagwant Singh Mann solicited fulsome support and cooperation of the people for this noble cause thereby foiling any conspiracy to derail peace, progress and prosperity of the state.
The Chief Minister warned the fissiparous forces that their evil designs to create communal strife would be nipped in the bud. He said that the social bonding in the state is so strong that any seed could grow on the fertile land of Punjab but the seed of hatred will never germinate here at any cost. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that though futile attempts are being made to disturb hard earned peace of state, the bond of love, harmony and peace will be further cemented by Punjabis.
The Chief Minister said that on this day in 1950 India became a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic and Secular Republic as the Constitution, drafted by our forefathers led by Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar, came into effect on this auspicious day. He said that it was really a moment of glory for all of us as we got the power to exercise our franchise thereby fulfilling the cherished aspirations of our forefathers of having the ‘Government of the people, for the people and by the people’. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with every passing day during the past over 75 years the ethos of democratic republic has been strengthened in the country as the countrymen had displayed unflinching faith in democratic norms and had given a clear verdict in favour of ‘ballot’ without any fear.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that Indians especially the Punjabis have thwarted every attempt aimed at endangering the hard earned sovereignty of the country. He said apart from safeguarding the country during wars in 1947, 1962, 1965, 1971 and then Kargil war our brave patriots have made supreme sacrifices to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the nation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for all of us that Punjabis have inherited an indomitable spirit of self sacrifice and patriotism from our Great Sikh gurus who have taught us to fight against oppression, tyranny and injustice.
The Chief Minister said that a dream envisaged by our great forefathers of an Independent and sovereign Indian Republic was fulfilled due to enormous sacrifices made by the countrymen during their fight against the mighty British Raj. But, he said that none could ever forget the unparalleled sacrifices made by the Punjabis at the altar of the Indian National freedom struggle. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that despite being merely two percent of the country’s population, 80% of the martyrs executed or exiled during the freedom struggle was from Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that besides being the land of watershed movements of Indian freedom struggle like Kuka, Ghadar, Kisan, Pagri Sambhal and others, Punjab produced sons of the soil like Lala Lajpat Rai, Diwaan Singh Kalepani and others who laid their lives for emancipating the country from the clutches of British Imperialism. He said that the heroic deeds of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Shaheed Udham Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha gave new vigor to the national freedom struggle by inspiring the generations to rise against British imperialism. He said that even in post-independence times during the period of crisis, we the brave Punjabis have never let our high spirits go down, rather strengthened the ethos of democracy by reposing full faith in the constitution of the nation.
The Chief Minister said that despite our limited natural resources the farmers of the state have put their sweat and toil to make the country self-reliant in food production, that too at the cost of overexploitation of the only available natural resources of the state. He reminded that at the time of independence when the entire country was rejoicing Punjab being the border State suffered the brunt of partition. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab went through the horrors of a violent partition in which lakhs of Punjabis lost their lives, were rendered homeless, and many more lost their lands and properties.
However, Chief Minister bemoaned that in last more than seven decades since independence, Punjab had to suffer in inexplicable discrimination from the governments at the Centre in the form of regressive and ruinous policies. He said that it is unfortunate that the food growers, who made the country self reliant in food production have been forced to agitate on this day too, adding that due to the apathetic attitude of the centre government, the hands that feed the country have to resort to hunger strike to get their demands fulfilled. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the tractor, which is king of the fields, has to ply on roads towards Delhi instead of producing food grains due to the callous attitude of the Union government.
The Chief Minister said that the centre should accept the demands of the food growers so that they can serve the country well. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the plight of farmers, due to the cold shoulder of the Union government, hurts every Indian who believes in constitutional values. He said that the centre government should stop the step motherly treatment towards Punjab and its hard working people.
Citing another example of the Union government’s indifferent attitude towards Punjab, the Chief Minister said that the centre government has not released the state’s pending share of RDF which is worth Rs 5500 crore. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is not in consonance with the federal structure of the country as enshrined in the constitution of the country. He said that states are not beggars and they should be given their legitimate share of funds by the centre instead of harassing them.
The Chief Minister said that ever since assuming charge his government is working closely in unison with the ideals of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Sahib Dr BR Ambedkar, to ensure the well being of all. He said that strenuous efforts are being made to fulfill the aspirations of our great freedom fighters adding that due to the concerted efforts of state government, Punjab has today emerged as a front runner state in the country and an unprecedented era of progress, prosperity and peace is being witnessed in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has taken several pro-people and development oriented initiatives so that the dreams of the founding fathers of this country are realized and people can enjoy the fruits of freedom.
Listing the achievements, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is giving the highest rate of sugarcane not only in the country but across the globe thereby immensely benefitting its farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state will continue to lead the country in maximum sugarcane price as per the commitment of the state government. He said that his government has always provided high rates to the sugarcane cultivators and this trend will continue in future too.
The Chief Minister said that the state Government has launched the first of its kind initiative in the country, a dedicated Sadak Surakhiya Force to ensure enhanced security and to save precious lives on the State and National Highways. He said that since its launch last year this force has saved 48% of lives in road accidents besides returning the valuables and money of people who get injured during road accidents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the force has been deployed all along 4200 km of the Highways, prone to traffic accidents adding that in addition to patrolling in the assigned areas, they act as a deterrent for traffic violations and more.
The Chief Minister said that in order to impart quality healthcare services to people, the state government has set up 881 Aam Aadmi clinics across Punjab which have revolutionized the health care sector in the state. He said that so far more than 2.70 crore people have taken the benefits of these clinics in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ever since inception these clinics have witnessed a huge footfall indicating that every third person of the state has taken benefit from these clinics.
The Chief Minister said that the state government had launched the guarantee to provide free power to the people in 2022 and since then 90% of the households in the state are getting free power and have got zero power bills. He said that this has reduced a big burden on the pocket of the common man by saving a huge amount of money for the poor households. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is also a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that along with domestic consumers, the food growers of the country are also getting free and uninterrupted power in the state.
The Chief Minister he had assumed charge of office in March 2022 and after a few months he got coal supply from Pachwara coal mines resumed. He said that the state has created history by purchasing Goindwal power plant owned by a private company GVK Power. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the first time this reverse trend has started that a government has purchased any private power plant whereas in the past the state governments used to sell their assets to the favorite individuals at ‘throw away’ prices.
The Chief Minister further said that Punjab Government is committed to make 118 Government Senior Secondary Schools as Schools of Eminence, equipped with smart classrooms, fully equipped labs and playgrounds for scientific learning. He said that due to all out efforts of the state government, the enrolment in government schools has been increased by around 17% in Pre- primary classes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to upscale the expertise of the teachers special program has been embarked under which teachers and Principals are being sent abroad for training so that they are well versed with modern teaching practices to prepare the students for future competitions in the international arena.
The Chief Minister said that at the time when he had assumed the charge of office only 21% canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, he said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 75% of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has ensured availability of canal water to farmers at the tail ends, who were deprived of this for decades, on one hand and saving the precious ground water on the other.
The Chief Minister said that in a major citizen centric initiative, the state Government has launched a new scheme namely Door-Step Delivery of Services under “Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwar” to provide services to the citizens at their door-step on demand. He said that under the scheme, 43 citizen services have been identified which constitute more than 99% of the daily administrative works of people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people are immensely benefitted from the availability of services at their places of residence.
The Chief Minister further said that the state Government is committed to provide a boost to the investment and industrial infrastructure in the State. He said that the state government has roped in investment of more than Rs 85,000 Crores with the proposed employment of about 3.50 lakh by leading companies like Tata Steel, Sanatan Textiles and others, who are making a beeline to invest in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state Government has also introduced Green stamp paper in the registration of sale deeds to ensure faster and smooth issuance of regulatory clearances to industry projects.
The Chief Minister said that continuing the endeavor of providing government jobs on merit to deserving candidates, the state Government has ensured fairness in recruitment while also ensuring efficiency. He said that till now more than 50,000 government jobs have been given so far to youth of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this has helped in making youth an active participant in socio-economic progress of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has continued to drive to eradicate corruption at an increasing pace. He said that the state government has introduced an anti corruption helpline number 9501200200 on which any person can lodge their complaint if anyone seeks bribe from them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to ensure transparent governance, Government has adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy towards corruption and trap cases were registered by Punjab Vigilance Bureau against Gazetted Officers, Non- Gazetted Officers and private persons who were caught red handed while accepting illegal gratification.
The Chief Minister said that the state Government has notified the FARISHTEY scheme, in order to save the life of accident victims and encourage the general public for their hassle-free participation towards helping the accidental victims. He said that the state Government offers a financial reward of Rs. 2000 to commend their noble deeds. Apart from financial reward, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a certificate is issued to such persons and they are provided immunity from legal complications and police inquiries.
The Chief Minister said that in order to increase the manpower in the Police department for enhancing its efficiency, the state government has already decided to recruit 1800 Constables and 300 Sub Inspectors every year in Punjab Police to overcome the scarcity of cops. He said that for these 2100 posts every year around 2.50 lakh candidates are expected to apply for these posts so all the aspirants will get involved in academics as well as in improving their physique for clearing the tests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has also decided to recruit 10,000 new cops in Punjab Police for which notification has already been issued.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that by eliminating the word contractual prefixed before the posts of employees the state government has regularized services of 12710 teachers by overcoming all the legal and administrative hiccups. He said that with the regularizing of services these teachers will get an annual increment of 5% in their salaries coupled with other benefits including holidays. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will ensure that these teachers become an active partner in socio- economic development of the state.
The Chief Minister said that recognizing the immense contribution of jawans of Armed forces, Paramilitary forces, Police and even Agnivirs in safeguarding unity and integrity of the country, the state government gives financial assistance worth Rs 1 crore to the family in case the jawans attain martyrdom in line of duty. He said that this financial assistance is given as a mark of respect for the supreme sacrifice made by the hero for the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this humble initiative of the state government is in recognition of the immense contribution of this son of soil towards preserving the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country.
The Chief Minister said that since the last three years people have reposed faith in pro-people policies of the state government due to which tax collection has been enhanced a lot. He said that till now 18 Toll plazas have been closed in the state adding that though most of them had sought extension but they have been denied it in larger public interest. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with the closing of these toll plazas Rs 63 lakh is being saved from the pocket of the common man in Punjab daily.
The Chief Minister said that in order to facilitate Punjabi Diaspora across the globe state-of-the-art NRI Facilitation Centre- “Punjab Help Centre” has been opened at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. He said that this center is manned 24×7 and provides assistance to all the NRIs and other passengers arriving at the terminal. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the passengers/relatives can take assistance regarding arrival flights, connecting flights, taxi services, lost luggage facilities and any other assistance required at the airport.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by parade commander Vaneet Ahlawat, IPS. He also took a salute from an impressive march past by contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, Punjab Police, ITBP, NCC Girls and Boys, Red Cross besides the Punjab Police Brass band. On the occasion, the students of various local schools presented a colorful variety program imbued in patriotic fervor including Bhangra, Gidha, Group Dance, PT show and group singing.
The Chief Minister also felicitated Freedom fighters and their kin in recognition of their valuable contribution in the freedom struggle of the country. He also gave away tricycles to the physically challenged and sewing machines to the poor and needy women. A series of Tableaux depicting the overall development of the state, especially the district administration was also the star of attraction.