Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and Main Pumping Station at Dera Sachkhand Ballan, to be built at a cost of ₹3.4 crore.
Before the ceremony, CM Bhagwant paid obeisance at Dera Sachkhand Ballan and sought blessings from its head, Sant Niranjan Dass Ji. Expressing his gratitude, he said it was a privilege to visit this sacred site, known for preserving the legacy of great spiritual leaders and for promoting peace, brotherhood, and communal harmony. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the path shown by Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, with education, healthcare, and employment as key priorities.
Highlighting recent achievements, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that Punjab has emerged as a leader in educational reforms, with students from disadvantaged backgrounds excelling in national-level exams like NEET and JEE. He also spoke about the pioneering Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, offering cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family to all residents, aimed at reducing financial stress and ensuring quality healthcare access.
Calling the event historic, CM Bhagwant announced that the STP will have a capacity of 0.5 MLD and will be completed within 12 months. The project will improve sanitation for the lakhs of devotees visiting the Dera and will recycle treated water for irrigating around 13 hectares of land—helping conserve groundwater, improve the environment, and boost public health infrastructure.
CM Bhagwant praised Dera Sachkhand Ballan’s role in social welfare, education, and healthcare for underprivileged communities, calling it an inspiration for followers of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji’s vision of an egalitarian society.
The event was attended by Cabinet Ministers Harbhajan Singh ETO, Lal Chand Kataruchak, Dr. Ravjot Singh, Mohinder Bhagat, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Rajkumar Chabbewal, MLAs Balkar Singh, Inderjit Kaur Mann, Jasvir Singh Gill, and several other dignitaries.