Patiala, May 16-
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that voters of Jalandhar have rejected the negative and hatred based propaganda of traditional parties by giving verdict in favour of development oriented policies of the state government.
Addressing a gathering after dedicating the newly constructed bus stand here today, the Chief Minister said that the voters of Jalandhar Parliamentary segment had casted votes in favour of schools of eminence, Aam Aadmi Clinics, unprecedented progress, well being of the people and others. He said that while they had sought votes on name of development their opponents had demanded vote for name of caste and sects. Bhagwant Mann said that people of Jalandhar had silenced opposition by giving thumping mandate in favour of the state government.
The Chief Minister said that this victory has filled them with more humility and dedication to serve the masses. He said that even though the newly elected MP has not been sworn in, his government has already chalked out a comprehensive blue print for holistic development of Jalandhar. Bhagwant Mann said he will be visiting Jalandhar tomorrow to fulfil major promises made with people.
The Chief Minister said that the arrogant leaders of the traditional had became very haughty due to being power in last many decades. He said that these people had, for years, taken the masses for granted due to which people had taught them a lesson. Bhagwant Mann said that these leaders had shelved all the morality in politics and had stooped too low just for their selfish motives.
The Chief Minister quipped that such functions of public importance were rare during the last regimes. However, he said that a new era has ushered now such projects are being dedicated to the public by the government. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is now leaving no stone unturned for facilitating the people by dedicating such projects to the state and its people.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is on path of resurgence as the government elected by people is dedicating new projects to people. He said that for the first time the policies are being framed up after due consultations with people. Bhagwant Mann said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that farmers of Fazilka district have for the maiden time used the water of canal for sowing cotton crop.
The Chief Minister said that in a major initiative aimed at saving the power, the state government has decided to commence the sowing of paddy across the state in a phased manner. He said that the paddy sowing will commence from June 10, 16, 19 and 21 in various parts of the state. Bhagwant Mann said that the state has been divided in four zones to implement this sowing mechanism in an effective manner.
Divulging more details, the Chief Minister said that to ensure smooth irrigation for paddy cultivation in a staggered manner, in the first phase transplantation in the areas beyond the fence across international border will start from June 10, for which regular power supply will be ensured to farmers. He said that uninterrupted power from June 16 will be ensured in the second phase to seven districts viz. Ferozepur, Faridkot, Pathankot, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar and Tarn Taran. Bhagwant Mann said that in third phase paddy transplantation will be ensured from June 19 in seven districts including Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Fazilka, Bathinda and Amritsar whereas in remaining nine districts of Patiala, Jalandhar, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Barnala and Mansa paddy transplantation will commence from June 21.
Training his guns against former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister said that the royal scion of Patiala had never visited his home town as CM. Bhagwant Mann said that after assuming charge of office he had visited Royal city more than Maharaja Patiala had done in his entire tenure. He said that this is the change for which people had elected this pro-people and development oriented government.
The Chief Minister said that the traditional parties are envy of him because he hails from a common family. Bhagwant Mann said that these leaders who believed that they have divine right to rule the state due to which they are not able to digest that a common man is running the state efficiently. He said that these leaders have befooled the people since long but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda.
The Chief Minister people had given befitting reply to the negative propaganda by the traditional parties by outrightly rejecting them. He said all these parties had joined their hands against the pro-people state government but they have been taught a lesson by the people. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government is committed for well being of people and there is no dearth of funds for it.
The Chief Minister said that the decision to change timings in government offices across the state is being lauded globally. He said that the state government has been able to save 350MW electricity daily by this save adding that Rs. 50 crore will be saved through this first of its kind move. Bhagwant Maan also informed that traffic congestion has already started easing out with with this unique move and a study revealed that 7000 litre fuel is saving daily on a single Airport Road of Mohali.
The Chief Minister categorically said that he is answerable only to the people of the state and not to those whose ancestors had felicitated General Dyer after the massacre of Jallianwala Bagh. He said that those leaders who had patronised the drug mafia and are currently on bail for their sins don’t have any moral right to ask them any question. Bhagwant Mann said that these so called convent educated leaders don’t have basic etiquettes to talk to anyone due to which they use foul language against their political opponents, which is undesirable and unwarranted.
The Chief Minister said that these people had abandoned the masses, acted against state and its people due to which they have been rejected by the people. He said that the state government will soon start door to door service for the basic benefit schemes so that people are immensely benefitted from it. Bhagwant Mann said that nothing can deter him from working for the well being of the people of state and he will continue to work for their welfare.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced green colour stamp paper for the industry in the state adding that this noble initiative will attract more investment in the state thereby generating new employment opportunities for the youth and facilitating people of the state. He reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of every section of the society adding that every decision of his government is aimed towards this. Bhagwant Mann said that the day is not far when other states will also replicate this industrial friendly initiative of the Punjab government.
The Chief Minister said that a year ago the people of state had voted them to power by pressing a button of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Bhagwant Mann said that today within a year he is pressing four-five buttons daily for dedicating new projects to the people of the state. He said that the day is not far when due to strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab will emerge as the frontrunner state in the country.
The Chief Minister said that in a major pro-people initiative, the state government has launched ‘Sarkar Tuhaade Dwaar’ scheme which stipulates that the officers especially the Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners maximize their field visits, especially in villages, and interact with the people by going to villages. He said that it is the need of the hour to facilitate the people in getting their day-to-day works done easily besides ensuring good governance to them. Bhagwant Mann said that this will help in better functioning of the offices along with better acquaintance with the ground realities.
The Chief Minister said that as per this program only the meeting of Cabinet was held earlier at Ludhiana and now tomorrow the Council of Ministers will meet at Jalandhar. He said that the motive is to make sure that benefit of the government schemes reaches at the doorsteps of people. Bhagwant Mann said that the government is leaving stone unturned to give a major fillip to the development of the state and prosperity of its people.
The Chief Minister said that the newly constructed bus stand is equipped with ultra modren facilities including lifts for the people. He said that constructed over a cost of Rs 60 crore this bus stand is having 45 counters for public convenience adding that the existing bus stand will be used as a city bus stand from where electrical shuttle bus service to various parts of the city will be introduced.
Bhagwant Mann said that more such bus stands will constructed across the state on the lines of Patiala bus stand.
On the occasion Cabinet Ministers Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Laljit Singh Bhullar and Dr Balbir Singh along with others were also present.