In a dawn of new era, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today handed over appointment letters for the posts of PCS and PPS to 11 players who had bagged the Bronze medal for the country in field of Hockey after a lull of 40 years and brought laurel in field of cricket and short put.
The Chief Minister said that this is a historic occasion due to which he had decided to inaugurate the newly constructed auditorium in his official residence by holding this event. He said that earlier people were apathetic towards the game of Hockey, despite the fact that it was a national game of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that but now the state government has restored the pristine glory of the game both in the country and state.
The Chief Minister said that today 11 players including nine from Hockey, one from Cricket and one from short put have been given the recruitment letters for PCS and PPS. He said that the players who have been appointed PPS include Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Varun Kumar, Shamsher Singh and Dilpreet Singh (from Hockey) and Harmanpreet Kaur (Cricket) and Tejinder Toor from short put. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that four Hockey players Rupinder Pal Singh, Simranjit Singh, Hardik Singh and Gurjant Singh have been appointed as PCS.
The Chief Minister said that the process of ‘reverse migration’ has already started in the state as youth settled abroad are coming back to get government jobs in Punjab. He said that now with today’s initiative this same ‘reverse trend’ will start in the field of sports as ace players from other states will make a beeline to be part of the state government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far away when Punjab will become a frontrunner state across the country in every sphere.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab not only has the distinction of being the food bowl of the country but it also produces ace players in the country. He said that from time to time the players from the state have brought glory to the country by his marvelous performance in various events. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab produces paddy for the country out of which 99% is being sold to the other states, as we don’t consume it.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that the state is also the sword arm of the country as the borders of the country are safeguarded by its valiant sons. He said that it is a matter of great pride for us that Punjabis have played a leading role in the national freedom struggle. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the freedom fighters have always inspired us to make enormous sacrifices for the country and to preserve its unity, integrity and sovereignty.
However, the Chief Minister bemoaned that his predecessors had neither bothered about the state nor about its people. He said that these people had mercilessly plundered the wealth of the state and ruined the life of people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these people had remained callous towards the sports and the sportsperson.
The Chief Minister reiterated that as bestowing the Bharat Ratna award to the iconic martyrs will enhance the prestige of this award similarly the state government is committed to felicitate the players. He said that these great martyrs really deserve this award because they had made supreme sacrifices for emancipating the country from foreign clutches. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that giving these jobs to the renowned players enhances the value of these jobs.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will club the Sports and anti-drug campaign for which a massive budget is being kept from the next fiscal. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he very well knows that ‘idle mind is the devil's workshop, so every effort is being made to provide jobs to youth so that they remain occupied in work. He said that every year 2100 posts in Punjab Police are being advertised for regular recruitment in the elite force adding that youth get inspired to work hard and become officers in Police.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to provide 100% jobs to the players excelling in international events. He said that promotion of sports culture can be the most effective tool in the state government’s crusade against drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that this will go a long way in eliminating the curse of drugs from the state and making the youth an equal partner in social economic development of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts to promote sporting culture in the state by giving world class facilities to the people. He said that financial assistance is being given to players to prepare for the competitions besides providing them world class grounds and other infrastructure. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this will help the players to carve a niche for themselves in both the national and international events.
Earlier, Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer hailed this unique initiative of the Chief Minister adding that it will inspire the budding players to excel too.
Meanwhile, the players also thanked the Chief Minister for this magnanimity. Sharing his views Hockey player Harmanpreet Singh said that it is a big day for them adding that they had bagged the medal in 2021 but they have got the job today as the Chief Minister himself is an avid sports lover. Harmanpreet Singh also hailed the path breaking initiative of the state government to organize Khedan Watan Punjab Dian.
Another player Rupinder Pal Singh profusely thanked the Chief Minister for giving PCS and PPS jobs to the players. He said that for the first time PCS players have been directly appointed by any state government. Rupinder Pal Singh said that this will further motivate the players to excel in the field of sports and bring laurels for the country.