Sri Anandpur Sahib, September 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said the area under canal irrigation in the state has increased substantially under the Aam Aadmi Party government and vowed to ensure that canal water reaches 100% of Punjab’s fields.
Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Jindwari village in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mann said the government had expanded the canal-water pipeline network to 14,000 kilometres. He said the area receiving canal irrigation had increased from 26% to 80% since he assumed office.
The Chief Minister also attacked the Congress, BJP and Akali Dal, alleging that the traditional political parties were primarily interested in power. He urged people to remain cautious of the BJP and Akali Dal, particularly on issues concerning Punjab’s water, Chandigarh and Panjab University.
Mann said his government was working towards creating a prosperous ‘Rangla Punjab’ through initiatives including free electricity, merit-based employment, improved education and healthcare, better roads and infrastructure. He said more than 70,000 young people had been provided government jobs without corruption.
During the programme, he said the government had handed over cheques of ₹20 lakh each to six village panchayats to accelerate local development.
The Chief Minister claimed that more than 90% of households in Punjab were receiving free electricity and said farmers were now getting power during the daytime. He also highlighted the government’s road infrastructure programme, saying 45,000 kilometres of roads were being renovated and upgraded.
On healthcare, Mann said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna provides cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh to every resident family in Punjab. He also referred to the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which women above 18 years are being provided financial assistance of ₹1,000, while eligible SC women receive ₹1,500. He said the state government had allocated ₹9,300 crore for the scheme.
Mann said the government was also focusing on youth engagement and claimed that 3,100 sports stadiums were being constructed across Punjab to help steer youngsters away from drugs.
Launching a political attack on the Akali Dal, the Chief Minister accused the party of failing to address issues of drug abuse and alleged that it had patronised mafias during its tenure. He also criticised SAD leader Sukhbir Badal, questioning his understanding of Punjab’s ground realities.
Mann further alleged that previous governments had failed to use public funds effectively, while asserting that his government was spending taxpayers’ money on schools, hospitals, roads and other development works.
He said education was the key to addressing poverty and social problems and stressed that the government would continue taking initiatives aimed at improving the standard of living of Punjab’s people.
Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Lok Sabha MP Malwinder Singh Kang and others were also present.
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