Sangrur, October 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday expressed confidence that people would give the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) another opportunity to continue the state’s development, while criticising the BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal for what he described as years of exploitation and misgovernance.
Addressing a large gathering at a Lok Milni in Moran village of Dirba constituency, Sangrur, after inaugurating a newly constructed sports ground, Mann announced a grant of ₹51 lakh for development works in the village.
He said development projects covering roads, schools, sewerage systems and sports facilities were being undertaken across Punjab, adding that his government was focused on delivering results rather than making announcements.
In a post on X, Mann said the people’s love and trust were the government’s greatest strength. He said the government was working to improve education and employment opportunities so that young people from ordinary families could receive quality education and rise to senior positions.
The Chief Minister claimed that his government had provided more than 70,000 government jobs to eligible youth without corruption and generated over six lakh additional employment opportunities through investment in Punjab. He said the aim was to create opportunities within the state so that young people would not have to leave their homeland in search of work.
Highlighting the expansion of sports infrastructure, Mann said around 3,100 sports grounds were being developed across Punjab to encourage young people to take up sports and keep them away from drugs. He also pointed out that Ludhiana was hosting the Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Championship, describing it as part of the state’s effort to promote sports and provide better opportunities to athletes.
Taking aim at the BJP, Congress and Akali Dal, Mann said the traditional parties had governed Punjab for decades but had failed to protect its interests. He alleged that their governments had prioritised political power and vested interests over public welfare.
He also criticised the Akali Dal over its reported eagerness to enter into an alliance with the BJP, recalling that 750 farmers had died during the protest against the three farm laws at Delhi’s borders. Mann said any alliance between the two parties would be rejected by Punjab’s voters, who, he claimed, would ensure their candidates lost their security deposits.
On the state government’s welfare measures, Mann said more than 90 per cent of households in Punjab were receiving free electricity and farmers were getting daytime power supply. He also claimed that the closure of toll plazas had saved commuters around ₹70 lakh every day.
Referring to the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, he said every resident family in Punjab was entitled to cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh.
He also spoke about the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which eligible women above 18 years would receive monthly assistance of ₹1,000, while Scheduled Caste women would receive ₹1,500. He said the money would be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts and that women already receiving social security pensions would also be eligible. According to Mann, nearly 97 per cent of women in the state were expected to benefit, with ₹9,300 crore earmarked for the scheme.
Emphasising education as a means of reducing poverty and inequality, the Chief Minister said his government was strengthening government schools through teacher training, Schools of Eminence and other reforms.
Citing NEET results, he said the number of government school students clearing the examination had risen from 80 in 2021 to 882 in 2026, an increase of more than eleven times.
Mann also highlighted the expansion of canal irrigation, claiming that canal water had reached 1,587 villages that had not received the facility earlier. He said the government had spent ₹7,200 crore on strengthening the canal network and that the area under canal irrigation had increased from 26 per cent to over 80 per cent since his government took office. The area receiving canal water, he said, had risen from 20.89 lakh acres in 2022 to 60.30 lakh acres.
He further said nearly 45,000 kilometres of roads were being renovated and upgraded to improve connectivity across the state.
Reiterating his commitment to Punjab, Mann said his strength came from the people and that he remained focused on safeguarding their rights, dignity and the future of the next generation. He said his government would continue working towards making Punjab a “Rangla Punjab”.
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