Mann highlights investment, jobs, says under AAP, Punjab on path of progress

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said Tata Steel's manufacturing plant in Ludhiana would be inaugurated on March 20.Mann, who was speaking during the debate on the governor's address in the Punjab assembly, said after Jamshedpur, the Rs 3,200-crore project by Tata Steel would be the second biggest. It will generate 400 direct jobs, he added.Speaking about the upcoming Punjab Progressive Investment Summit from March 13-15, Mann said his visits to Japan, South Korea and other countries acted as a catalyst to attract investment, including a Rs 1,300 crore investment by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in horticulture.The CM also announced the expansion of the ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yojna'. In the coming days, train journeys to Takht Patna Sahib in Bihar and Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra, the two Sikh takhts outside Punjab, will be arranged under the pilgrimage scheme to enable devotees pay obeisance at all five takhts of the Sikhs, he said.Mann slammed the opposition parties over their "frustration" after the AAP-led govt announced Rs 1,000 per month for women under the 'Mukh Mantri Mavaan Dhian Yojna'.Asserting that parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal, the BJP and the Congress "repeatedly betrayed the public by ignoring their election promises", Mann said: "The AAP govt treated its manifesto as a sacred commitment and fulfilled every guarantee for the common people within just four years."Highlighting the schemes such as ‘Mukh Mantri Mavaan Dhian Yojna', free electricity, free bus travel, free treatment with Rs 10 lakh health insurance, Meri Rasoi scheme, transparent recruitment of 63,943 youth, and major investments in infrastructure and industry, Mann said: "Punjab is firmly moving ahead on the path of development, and the pace of progress will only accelerate in the coming years."Concluding the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor's address moved by Talwandi Sabo MLA Baljinder Kaur, Mann said: "Traditional parties used to talk about religion and caste in their manifestos, but AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal made a historic initiative by including quality health and education for the common people in the manifesto."He said: "After the announcement of the Mukh Mantri Mavaan Dhian Yojna, a wave of happiness spread across Punjab, especially among women.""For ordinary people, especially the poor, Rs 1,000–Rs 1,500 is a significant amount. This amount is a mark of respect for mothers and daughters, and the smile on women's faces due to this scheme gives me great satisfaction," said Mann.The CM said the registration for the scheme would begin on April 13, and all eligible beneficiaries could enrol under it.Referring to the Meri Rasoi scheme, he said many families were deprived of essential nutrients due to a lack of proper food, which adversely affected their health. "Under the Meri Rasoi scheme, 40 lakh families will receive sugar, pulses, mustard oil and salt in their ration, and a budget of Rs 1,000 crore was allocated for this scheme," he said.Highlighting "the health revolution" during the last four years, Mann said people's trust in 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics continued to grow and "the number of OPD visits crossed five crore, with many people visiting the clinics multiple times".Speaking on the health insurance scheme, the CM said: "Around 900 govt and private hospitals are empanelled under this scheme. Even in developed countries like Canada, people have to pay insurance premiums for healthcare, but in Punjab, treatment is being provided free of cost."He also announced that medical colleges would be set up in Lehragaga, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala. The CM said since 2022, as many as 934 doctors were recruited for govt hospitals. He also mentioned the success of the Chief Minister di Yogshala initiative aimed at carving out a healthy and prosperous Punjab.Speaking about education reforms, he said 118 Schools of Eminence were being established across Punjab to provide quality education. "Principals and teachers are being sent to Finland, Singapore and IIM Ahmedabad for training. Since 2022, a total of 13,765 teachers have been recruited, and it is a matter of immense pride for Punjabis that Punjab secured the top position in the National Achievement Survey 2024," he said.The chief minister further said the future belonged to Artificial Intelligence and teachers were being trained globally to educate students about AI.He also said: "Punjab farmers are getting the highest sugarcane price in the country at the rate of Rs 416 per quintal.""Ferozepur Feeder Canal, considered to be the lifeline of Malwa, was renovated and a new Malwa Canal is being built for the first time since independence," Mann added.He said village libraries were being established to encourage reading among youth, and 3,200 sports grounds were being developed in villages to channelise the energy of youth in a positive direction and steer them away from the menace of drugs.The CM further said 63,943 govt jobs were given to youth so far without any recommendation or bribery.Speaking about the power sector, he said: "90% of households are receiving free electricity, and recently electricity tariffs were reduced by 70 paise to Rs 1.50 per unit. For the first time, the govt purchased a private thermal plant of the GVK company and named it after Sri Guru Amar Das Ji."Highlighting infrastructure initiatives, the CM said under the 'Roshan Punjab' initiative, Rs 5,000 crore was being spent to strengthen infrastructure, including underground electricity cables.He also said the formation of the ultra-modern Sadak Surakhya Force reduced road accident deaths in Punjab by 48%.Reiterating the zero-tolerance policy against corruption, Mann said an anti-corruption helpline (95012-00200) was launched and more than 1,000 arrests were made so far.Referring to the damage caused by last year's floods, the CM said compensation was provided for crop losses, damaged houses and livestock. He said under the 'Jis Da Khet, Us Di Ret' scheme, farmers benefited significantly, and flood-affected farmers were also provided 84,889 quintals of wheat seed, worth Rs 33.96 crore, free of cost.MSID:: 129338260 413 |