Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday paid obeisance at Gurudwara Singh Shaheedan and prayed for progress and prosperity of the state.
Interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that the great sikh Gurus have taught us to oppose the tyranny, injustice and oppression. He said Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is repository of knowledge and wisdom which is guiding light for entire humanity. Quoting verse ‘Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat’ from Gurbani, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is following the footsteps of the great gurus to serve the people. He said that for the first time the state government has embarked a major scheme to save ground water by optimum utilisation of canal water. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the AAP has performed well in the Lok Sabha polls as vote share has enhanced from 7% in 2019 to more than 26% during current polls.
The Chief Minister said that as compared to one seat in 2019 party has secured three seats this time whereas vote share of congress has declined and BJP has been wiped out. However, he said that party will certain analyse and overcome shortcomings, if any, in its working and try to improve it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as election code was too long so development of the state has jeopardised.
The Chief Minister said that state government has released Rs 91 crore pending for the post Matric scholarship scheme. He said that 50% decline has been witnessed in the students seeking immigration to Canada as state of art technical education is being imparted to students. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that state government is leaving stone unturned for the noble cause of development of the state and welfare of its people.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is fully ready for the upcoming by-election for Jalandhar (West) assembly segment. He said that AAP is a national party which will contest the by-poll vehemently and ensure the victory. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the party will contest this poll with full might and win this seat that fallen vacant due to resignation of MLA.
The Chief Minister said that despite of huge rhetoric regarding 400 paar BJP has not been able to cross 250 in the country and the Modi Government has been rechristened as NDA government. He said that BJP is far away from majority and the opposition is equally strong in the current constitution of the Lok Sabha. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that the dictatorship of saffron party will not be visible this time as they are running a government in coalition with other parties.
The Chief Minister said that several leaders who have lost the general elections have been made the Ministers in the new Cabinet led by Prime Minister. He said that the new state Minister from Punjab Ravneet Bittu should flag the issues of state especially regarding stopping of funds with Union government so that they are immediately released. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is imperative to give impetus to the development of the state and prosperity of its people.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is fully ready for the ensuing paddy season in the state. He said that directions have been already issued to Power and water resources department. Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the farmers to use the canal water instead of ground water to save the water
The Chief Minister said that slap on Kangna Ranaut represents the simmering anger due to her venomous statement issued in the past. He said that it is an unfortunate incident but Kangna should also have exercised restraint and before labelling the entire Punjabis as terrorists she should have remembered the significant contribution of Punjabis in making country self reliant in food production, freedom struggle and defence of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the immature statement does not behove a public figure of Kangna’s stature.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several pro-people and citizen centric initiatives for welfare of people. He said that more such steps will be taken for the overall development and progress of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is good the winds of change are blowing in country as BjP has failed to touch majority.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that now the anti-people scheme of Agnivir will be rolled back. He said that the state government is working tirelessly for well being of the state and new policies are being made to given fillip to development of state. Asked to comment on state of Union Minister Amit Shah that Punjab government will fall after June 4, Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that instead of worrying about Punjab, Shah should focus on retaining his department in new government.