Jagraon, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday said his government was creating employment opportunities within Punjab, enabling young people to build their futures at home rather than being compelled to migrate abroad. Citing more than 70,000 government jobs, improvements in government schools that helped 882 students clear the NEET examination this year, and substantial investment in village development, he said Punjab was undergoing a transformation.
During a ‘Lok Milni’ programme at Kamalpura village in Ludhiana’s Jagraon constituency, Mann handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh to the village Sarpanch for development works. He reiterated his government’s commitment to farmers and women while criticising Congress and Akali leaders for fighting over power instead of working for Punjab’s progress. He also referred to the chargesheet filed against Akali Dal (Badal) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, asserting that it would now be difficult for him to escape accountability.
Taking to X, Mann said, “Today, during the ‘Lok Milni’ programme at Kamalpur village in the Jagraon Assembly constituency of Ludhiana, I interacted with a large gathering of people and handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh to the Sarpanch for the comprehensive development of the village. Coming from an ordinary farming family myself, I understand the challenges faced by farmers. That is why we have started providing electricity to agricultural tubewells during the day instead of at night, to save farmers from unnecessary hardship. Mothers and sisters should also keep their bank accounts and ATMs ready, as the Sanman Rashi will soon be credited to their accounts. While the opposition is busy fighting among itself for positions and power, our only goal is the progress and prosperity of Punjab.”
Addressing the gathering, Mann said those who had tarnished Punjab’s image by associating it with drugs must be held accountable.
“Those who have defamed Punjab, a state renowned as the land of generals and sportspersons, by associating it with drugs will have to pay for their sins. A 40,000-page chargesheet has been filed against the main kingpin, who had allowed drugs to be smuggled in his official cars during his heyday. These people, who plundered the state’s wealth and ruined the lives of its youth, are hand in glove with each other and must be held accountable for their actions,” he said.
Taking aim at political leaders whom he accused of prioritising their own interests, the Chief Minister said they came together socially but continued to make divisive statements and create discord among people for political gains.
Targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership, Mann questioned its understanding of Punjab’s geography and language, taking a swipe at the Badal family’s political heir over his command of Punjabi. He said leaders disconnected from the state’s language and ground realities could not effectively represent its people.
Mann also attacked the Congress, saying the party was struggling because its leaders were more interested in becoming Chief Minister than serving the public. He alleged that Congress, Akali Dal and BJP leaders shared the objective of removing him from office because his government had prioritised public welfare.
“Congress, Akali and BJP leaders never miss an opportunity to target me and even my family, but they rarely speak against one another. Their common agenda is to dislodge me because we are working for the people of Punjab. My greatest strength is the support of the people, and with that strength, we will continue to defeat those who work against Punjab’s interests,” he said.
Recalling former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s tenure, Mann said people had rejected a government that remained disconnected from their everyday problems. He asserted that political power should be used to serve the public rather than protect privilege or accumulate wealth.
Highlighting his government’s employment record, Mann said more than 70,000 government jobs had been provided to young people on merit, without payments or political recommendations.
“Earlier, young people were forced to look for opportunities abroad because they could not find employment in Punjab, and government jobs were often associated with money and influence. Today, merit is the only route to securing a government job in Punjab. Our youth are getting opportunities through a transparent recruitment process, without paying a single penny or seeking recommendations,” he said.
He said his government was working to create conditions in which young people could build their futures in Punjab rather than being compelled to migrate for employment. The state’s development strategy, he added, focused on expanding opportunities, strengthening public services and ensuring government resources reached ordinary families.
Describing education as the most effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty, Mann said 882 students from Punjab government schools had cleared NEET in the latest results, compared with just 80 in 2021.
“More than 30 lakh students appear for NEET across the country every year. The fact that 882 students from our government schools have cleared the examination reflects the progress being made in improving the quality of public education. We want children from ordinary families to have the same opportunities to become doctors and professionals as those studying in the most expensive private institutions,” he said.
Mann said free facilities and welfare cards alone could not permanently lift families out of poverty, stressing that quality education was essential for lasting opportunities and social mobility. He said the state government was investing public money in strengthening schools and improving access to education.
The Chief Minister said more than 90 per cent of households in Punjab were receiving free electricity. Farmers were also being provided electricity during the daytime, reducing the difficulties associated with irrigating fields at night.
“Our government has also improved roads, closed toll plazas that were costing commuters money, strengthened healthcare facilities and invested in village infrastructure. The closure of toll plazas, he added, was saving commuters approximately ₹70 lakh every day. Every rupee collected through taxes belongs to the people. Our responsibility is to use that money honestly and judiciously for their welfare. The people’s money must return to them through better schools, hospitals, roads, electricity and development works,” he said.
Mann added that grants were being provided for village development, with the government working to ensure rural communities received the infrastructure and facilities they needed.
Emphasising the role of sports in combating drug abuse, he said 3,100 sports stadiums were being constructed across Punjab to encourage young people to participate in sports and pursue healthier futures. Investment in sports infrastructure, he added, would improve facilities for village youth, nurture sporting talent and provide positive alternatives for those vulnerable to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister also said the state government had launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna to provide cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family, aiming to reduce the financial burden of healthcare.
He described the scheme as a major step towards wider access to quality medical treatment, saying families should not face financial distress when seeking healthcare.
“Healthcare should not become a burden that pushes families into debt. Through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, we are working to ensure that people can access treatment without having to worry about the cost,” he said.
Mann said eligible women aged 18 and above would receive financial assistance under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, with ₹1,000 per month for each woman in Punjab and ₹1,500 per month for Scheduled Caste women. He added that the assistance would be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts and that women already receiving social security pensions would also be eligible.
According to Mann, the scheme was expected to benefit 97 per cent of women in Punjab, with ₹9,300 crore allocated in the state budget for its implementation. He urged women to keep their bank accounts active and their banking details ready to ensure they could receive the assistance without difficulty.
Highlighting efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, Mann said canal water had reached the fields of 1,587 villages that had never previously received it.
“Our government has spent ₹7,200 crore to expand canal irrigation and improve water availability for farmers. The area under canal irrigation has increased from 26% to more than 80% since his government took office. In 2022, canal water reached 20.89 lakh acres, while the figure had now risen to 60.30 lakh acres,” he said.
He added that approximately 45,000 kilometres of roads were being renovated and upgraded to improve connectivity across the state.
Concluding his address, Mann reiterated that his government’s priorities remained public welfare, employment, education, healthcare, agriculture and rural development. He said the people of Punjab would continue to support efforts that improved their lives and strengthened the state’s future.
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