DW BUREAU / Baba Bakala

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday lashed out at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for not addressing Punjab-specific issues in Parliament ever despite seeking votes in the name of Panth always.

While presiding over a state-level function to mark the Rakhar Puniya Festival, he pointed out that the SAD party, claiming to be panthic and pro-Punjab, had never raised issues related to Punjab in Parliament. Citing an instance from December 26, 2018, when he, as a Lok Sabha member from Sangrur, had appealed to the then Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to pay homage to the younger sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on their martyrdom day.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Lok Sabha Speaker had agreed, and for the first time in the history of the Parliament, rich tributes were paid to the Sahibzadas on their martyrdom day.

The Chief Minister bemoaned that the SAD had never made any efforts to pay respects to the Sahibzadas in Parliament despite claiming to be panthic and pro-Punjab.

Bhagwant Singh Mann Mann criticized the BJP, advising the party to introspect its own governance in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where curfews were imposed during religious festivals, highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation. He also mentioned about the recent curfew in Nuh district of Haryana. Taking a dig at the opposition leaders like Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and BJP state Chief Sunil Jakhar, the Chief Minister said that following the massive defeat in the Jalandhar West by-election these leaders had gone to political oblivion.

He remarked that the people of Punjab had taught a lesson to these leaders, emphasizing that there was no place for nepotism in politics, and only politicians who raise the voice of the common people could come to power.

Furthermore, Bhagwant Singh Mann promised further improvements in the education and health sectors, aiming to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure in government schools and hospitals.

The Chief Minister said that 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics have already been established by the government which have treated more than 2 crore people and 95-percent of them are now healthy. He said that as many as 30 more such clinics are being set up with which people will get better health facilities near their homes.

Bhagwant Singh Mann that the government was providing free electricity to 90 percent of households, as well as uninterrupted electricity to farms.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the government's achievement of providing jobs to 44,700 youths, emphasizing the merit-based and transparent recruitment process.

Moreover, he mentioned the establishment of the Sadak Suraksha Force to save lives in road accidents. Sharing the data, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that since its inception this force has saved more than 1200 precious lives in road accidents compared to last year.

On the occasion of the Rakhi festival, the Chief Minister congratulated women and stated that the government is taking multiple initiatives to empower women.

He mentioned that the state government has worked to implement the principle of equality by appointing women officers as senior superintendents of police (SSPs) in six districts and women deputy commissioners in eight districts. Additionally, Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that girls will be recruited as firefighters for the first time, making Punjab the first state to take this step.

The Chief Minister also expressed strong objection to the funds being withheld by the Centre, stating that Punjab does not beg from the Centre but demands are its rights. He emphasized that Punjab collects and deposits the GST with the Centre and expects its share, and that the Centre does not do any favor to the state.

Furthermore, on the occasion of Rakhar Punya, Bhagwant Singh Mann paid obeisance at the historical Gurdwara Nauvi Patshahji and prayed for the prosperity of all.

The Chief Minister highlighted the historical significance of the land of Baba Bakala, where Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji meditated for a long time. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said the great Sikh Gurus inspired people to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice, and mentioned that Punjabis have always led the country in fighting against enemies.
(editor@dailyworld.in)