EVERY DROP OF MY BLOOD COMMITTED FOR PROGRESS, PROSPERITY AND PEACE OF THE STATE: ASSERTS CM

VOWS TO RESTORE PRISTINE GLORY OF THE STATE

ASSERTS THAT THIS GOVERNOR ADDRESS IS JUST A CURTAIN RAISER OF THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE WITNESSED IN THE STATE IN THE COMING TIMES

Chandigarh, March 7-

Reiterating the firm commitment of his government to restore pristine glory of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that every drop of his blood is committed for progress, prosperity and peace of the state.

Winding up the debate on Governor Address here at the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that for the first time in the last 75 years the power of the state has been bestowed to those who are committed for the well being of the state. He lamented that earlier this power was in the hands of those who had surpassed the Britishers in looting the state. Bhagwant Mann said that this is the government of the people and every Punjabi so no stone will be left unturned for the well being of the state.

The Chief Minister said that this year’s Governor address is just a curtain raiser of the massive development that will be witnessed in the state in the coming times. He said that Punjab is witnessing overall progress and prosperity in every sphere adding that this momentum will continue in coming times too. Bhagwant Mann said that his government is zealously working to ensure that Punjab becomes a frontrunner state in every sphere.

Listing the pro-people initiatives of his government, the Chief Minister said that the days of long cuts have ended in the state as Punjab is heading towards becoming power surplus. He said that due to the efforts of his government the power generation in the state has been enhanced by 83%. Bhagwant Mann said that owing to strenuous efforts made by his government the supply of coal for power generation from Pachwara coal mine has resumed after a long time.

The  Chief Minister further 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 got zero power 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 said that due to strenuous efforts of his government, the Union government has agreed to waive off the mandatory RSR (Rail-Sea-Rail) condition for coal supply from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL). Bhagwant Mann said that he had raised this issue with the Power Minister during a meeting after which a decision had been taken in this regard. He said that the state government is firmly committed to secure the interests of the state.

The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab has emerged as a most preferred investment destination in the country. He said that the entrepreneurs are making a beeline to invest in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that this will put the state on orbit of high growth trajectory and create new jobs for the youth.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against corruption and exemplary action will be ensured against the leaders involved in sins against the state. He said that no one can stop him from acting against these culprits who have mercilessly robbed and ruined the state. Bhagwant Mann assured the house that nothing can deter him from taking stringent action against the corrupt leaders and tirade against them will continue by all means.

The Chief Minister also said that his government has already exempted 5000 villages of the state from getting NOC for registration of property and equal number of villages will be exempted soon. He said that the state government will not allow any illegal colony to mushroom up in the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the process to regularize the illegal colonies has already been streamlined to facilitate people.

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 whose term has expired adding that around 50 public mines have been dedicated to people for ensuring cheap availability of sand to people.

The Chief Minister also said that the state government will soon launch its flagship program of ‘Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar’ under which the residents will get the 40 citizen centric services at their doorsteps. He said that this scheme will be available online via app and the residents will get the benefits of this scheme just on a phone call. Bhagwant Mann said that it will enable the residents to get the citizen centric services at their doorsteps in a smooth and hassle free manner.

The Chief Minister said that 117 Schools of Eminence have been set up in 23 districts of the state to provide quality education to children.  Bhagwant Mann said that this will help the students to groom well for the future competitive exams. He said that no stone is being left unturned for the holistic development of the state and the day is not far when the glory of Punjab will be restored.

The Chief Minister further said that in a major push to Medical education in Punjab, the state government has decided to construct 16 new Medical colleges in the coming five years that will enhance the total tally of medical colleges in the state to 25 thereby ensuring that every district of the state touches a medical college. He said that the foundation stone of Sant Attar Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences at Mastuana Sahib in Sangrur had already been laid by him and work on its construction will start soon. Bhagwant Mann further said that work on two other medical colleges at Kapurthala and Hoshiapur has also started.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that though Punjab is an agrarian state but agriculture is on crossroad due to which our youth are ready to leave agriculture and do menial jobs. He said that the previous governments had never thought about the welfare of the farmers adding that PAU was not given funds due to which they were not able to do research. Bhagwant Mann assailed the successive governments for sharing profit from the spurious seeds thereby ruining the farmers.

The Chief Minister said that the farmers were not updated on the new farming techniques due to which the income of the farmers have stagnated. He said that the state government has roped in reputed agriculture experts to benefit the farmers. Bhagwant Mann said that first of its kind ‘Kisan Milni’ was also organised in the state to solicit the views of farmers to make agriculture profitable.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is promoting crop diversification in the state in a big way adding that he has taken up the issue of marketing of the alternative crops with the Government of India. He said that the sowing of Basmati crops has been encouraged along with processing of the food products. Bhagwant Mann said that for the first time the state government will ensure supply of canal water to the cotton cultivators on April 1 adding that Police will be deployed to check the stealing of water.