In a significant relief for 942 contractual employees of the Forest Department, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann handed over regular appointment letters to them after more than a decade of service. During the event, also attended by candidates from the Housing and Urban Development Department, the CM expressed pride in removing the “contractual” tag from their positions, saying the government had overcome legal and administrative challenges to regularize their services.
CM Bhagwant Mann emphasized that this was not a favor but a responsibility towards the people of Punjab. He reiterated his commitment to public welfare and holistic state development, contrasting his government’s consistent efforts with past administrations that, he said, offered superficial benefits only during election years.
Taking a swipe at previous governments and opposition leaders, CM Bhagwant criticized them for their disconnect from Punjabi language and culture, and accused them of prioritizing personal gain over public welfare. He said such leadership had been rejected by the people in the 2022 Assembly elections, who instead gave AAP a strong mandate.
He highlighted progress under his leadership, including advances in education, healthcare, water, infrastructure, and anti-drug efforts. The “Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh” campaign, he said, is yielding results with major drug traffickers now jailed and their assets being seized.
CM Bhagwant also criticized Captain Amarinder Singh for sympathizing with drug lords while ignoring the pain of ordinary Punjabis. Mann alleged that Captain’s relatives were involved in drug trafficking during earlier regimes.
On development fronts, CM Bhagwant Mann said the government has increased canal water usage for irrigation from 21% to 63%, improved access to water in remote villages, and protected Punjab’s water rights.
He spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, India’s first universal cashless health scheme offering ₹10 lakh cover per family, calling it a landmark step toward public healthcare.
CM Bhagwant Mann praised Punjab’s natural beauty and tourism potential, citing examples like Chamrod Pattan (Mini Goa), and committed to promoting eco-tourism to boost economic activity.
Lastly, he noted a positive shift among Punjab’s youth, with many now becoming job creators due to government job initiatives. His aim, he said, is to make them equal contributors in the state’s progress and prosperity.