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CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Addresses Lok Milni At Village Sohal In Gurdaspur
SOHAL, 15th November 2026 (WISHAVWARTA);- Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday asserted that opposition parties should stop dreaming of discontinuing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s welfare schemes as his government remains committed to spending every penny of the public exchequer on the welfare of Punjabis. During a Lok Milni at village Sohal in Gurdaspur, he said that while previous governments filled their own coffers, his government had delivered free electricity, over 71,700 government jobs and canal water to farmers’ fields.
Declaring that the government’s treasury would always remain open for public welfare, the Chief Minister challenged the opposition to account for its record and questioned the Akali Dal’s proposed political understanding with the BJP, which he held responsible for the deaths of 750 farmers during the farm laws agitation. With people turning out in large numbers at the Lok Milni, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said their affection strengthened his resolve to serve Punjab, adding that the ₹51 lakh development grant handed over for village Sohal reflected his government’s commitment to taking development to every village.
Sharing a few snippets on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The overwhelming love and affection I received at the ‘Lok Milni’ in Qadian has given me immense encouragement. My objective is not to deliver political speeches from stages, but to sit among people, listen to their concerns and resolve their problems on the spot. Previous governments filled their own coffers, but we are spending public money for the welfare of the people. Free electricity, over 71,700 government jobs and canal water reaching farmers’ fields are proof of this commitment. Today, I also handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh for the development of village Sohal. Our intentions are clear, and Punjab’s treasury will always be dedicated to the welfare of Punjabis.”
Addressing the massive gathering during a Lok Milni in Qadian, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government believes in resolving people’s everyday problems through direct interaction rather than delivering political speeches from stages. He highlighted the government’s achievements in employment, education, healthcare, agriculture and public welfare, while urging people to judge political parties on the basis of their actual performance.
Welcoming the people who had gathered in large numbers, the Chief Minister said, “The overwhelming love and affection of people during Lok Milni gives me immense strength and encouragement. My purpose is not to deliver political lectures from stages but to sit among people, understand their concerns and resolve their problems. Whether it is education, healthcare, employment, roads, drinking water, agriculture or village development, our government is committed to addressing every genuine concern.”
Taking a dig at traditional political parties, he said, “Earlier governments considered people merely as vote banks and believed that elections could be won by distributing money and liquor. But today’s generation is politically aware and judges governments by their performance rather than hollow promises. People want accountability, development and solutions to their problems.”
Highlighting the government’s commitment to public welfare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Previous governments filled their own coffers, whereas we are returning people’s money to them through welfare schemes and development works. Our government will never allow public welfare initiatives such as free bus travel, Aam Aadmi Clinics and quality government schools to be discontinued. Women are receiving financial assistance directly into their bank accounts and are utilising it for meaningful purposes.”
The Chief Minister said that his government has provided 71,777 government jobs purely on merit and without corruption or payment of money. “Our transparent recruitment process has restored the confidence of Punjab’s youth. Earlier, young people faced discrimination and corruption while seeking government employment. Today, they are securing jobs on the strength of their merit and qualifications. Not a single penny has been taken from anyone for these appointments,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of agriculture, he said that canal water utilisation in Punjab had increased from nearly 22% before the AAP government assumed office to around 85% – 86% now. “We are working to increase canal water utilisation to 90% so that more farmers can receive canal water for irrigation. Punjab is expected to contribute around 200 lakh metric tonnes of rice to the national pool this year, compared to the earlier estimated production of 180 lakh metric tonnes. This reflects the benefits of improved irrigation facilities and the availability of canal water in agricultural fields,” he said.
Highlighting the transformation in the education sector, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “When our government took charge in 2022, Punjab was ranked 27th in education. Today, the state has secured the number one position in primary education. Our teachers are being sent to Finland, Singapore and prestigious institutions such as IIMs for specialised training, while Schools of Eminence are providing students with opportunities to excel.”
The Chief Minister further said that 882 students from Punjab’s government schools had cleared NEET, compared to just 80 students in 2021. “This is almost an eleven-fold increase and reflects the growing quality of government education. Many of these successful students belong to economically weaker families, including children of rickshaw pullers, small shopkeepers and vegetable vendors. Education is the real instrument for taking families out of poverty, and our government is investing in the future of every child,” he said.
He said that financial resources would never be a constraint when the government’s intentions were clear and its priorities were focused on public welfare. “Our priority is to ensure that every child, irrespective of the financial condition of their family, gets access to quality education and opportunities to fulfil their dreams,” he added.
On healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 54 lakh families had already received health scheme cards under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana against approximately 65 lakh eligible families in Punjab. “I appeal to the remaining families to get their health cards made at the earliest so that they can avail cashless treatment facilities. Around 650 private hospitals are already part of the scheme, ensuring that people across Punjab can access quality healthcare without worrying about treatment expenses,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the party remained preoccupied with internal differences and leadership struggles instead of raising issues concerning Punjab’s development. “Congress leaders are busy fighting among themselves and have nothing concrete to show for the state despite their long years in power. They must explain what tangible benefits they delivered to the people of Punjab,” he said.
Targeting the Akali Dal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the party had lost public confidence because of its past record, including the incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He also criticised the Badal family’s changing political positions, particularly its earlier criticism of the BJP and its present efforts to enter into an alliance with the same party.
Questioning the BJP’s political credibility in Punjab, the Chief Minister said, “The BJP government at the Centre brought the three contentious farm laws, forcing farmers to undertake a prolonged agitation in which several farmers lost their lives. How can BJP leaders now seek votes from the very farmers whose interests were threatened by those laws? Any renewed political understanding between the BJP and SAD can once again put the interests of Punjab’s farmers at risk.”
Recalling the Akali Dal-BJP government’s tenure from 2007 to 2017, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this was the period when the drug problem spread extensively across Punjab. Questioning the credibility of leaders seeking public support despite their past record, he referred to properties worth around ₹750 crore belonging to Akali leaders being linked to proceeds of drug-related activities. He said that people were aware of the history of these political parties and would take an informed decision.
Urging people to evaluate political parties on the basis of their actual work, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “People should not be influenced by electoral gimmicks, symbolic gestures or empty promises. Our government has spent the last four-and-a-half years working to improve the lives of ordinary Punjabis. We want to take this development journey further in the coming term and ensure that every section of society benefits.”
Announcing his vision for strengthening opportunities for Punjab’s youth, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the government would establish UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) coaching centres across the state to prepare young people for prestigious civil services examinations. “Our youngsters should have the opportunity to become IAS and IPS officers. They should not be forced to spend enormous amounts of money or leave their homes to pursue their dreams. We want to create an environment in Punjab where they can receive quality education, secure employment and contribute to the state’s progress,” he said.
Appealing to people to follow the ideals of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the collective efforts of Punjabis would help build a ‘Rangla Punjab’. “The affection and blessings of the people are my greatest strength. My only interest is to share the joys and sorrows of the three crore people of Punjab and work tirelessly for their welfare. Together, we must build a prosperous Punjab where every family gets opportunities, dignity and a better future,” he said.
