Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday questioned the speed of action by the CBI, alleging that some cases remain pending for 10-15 years while action in certain matters begins “overnight”.
Reacting to the CBI action at the Chief Minister’s camp office, Mann said the timing sent a clear message that the election season had arrived. He alleged that the BJP had started its election campaign in Punjab and was using central agencies such as the CBI and ED to target opposition leaders and governments ahead of polls.
Mann said he was not afraid of any investigation and would cooperate if he received a summons through the proper channel. “Let the investigating agencies do their work, but the people of Punjab also know everything,” he said.
Chief Minister also defended his political background, saying he had neither come from a political family nor entered politics to make money through contracts, buses or hotels. He said his purpose in politics was to stand with people in their difficult and happy times.
Mann cited alleged instances of central agency action against opposition leaders in states including Delhi, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh ahead of elections, claiming that such action had become a political strategy.
On the development front, Mann highlighted the Punjab government’s new investment and employment portal Hunar Punjab, calling it a major step towards linking industry with skilled youth.
He said Punjab had attracted around ₹1.89 lakh crore in investment, with the potential to generate approximately 6.31 lakh jobs. He stressed that the government’s objective was not merely to show investment figures but to ensure that investments translated into actual employment.
Under the new portal, industries will be able to directly register their manpower requirements. For instance, if a company needs welders or electrical technicians, it can post its requirements on the platform. The system will then help connect the industry with trained youth available through ITIs and other skill-development institutions.
Around 1,700 institutions are expected to be linked to the system, allowing industries to find skilled workers, technicians and engineers from nearby areas.
Mann said investors would also be able to track their applications during the 45-day processing period and know which officer or department secretary was handling their file, making the investment process more transparent.
He added that the portal would eventually include features to connect Punjab’s youth with employment opportunities outside the state as well.
The Chief Minister also said companies including Tata Skills had started operations in Punjab and mentioned investments by firms such as Cargill and JSW. He said the government was working to attract more investments from companies from countries such as Germany and Japan.
Mann further highlighted projects aimed at converting paddy straw into gas, saying the government was encouraging industries to use crop residue as fuel and providing subsidies for the purpose. He said the initiative would provide an alternative fuel source to industries while also helping address Punjab’s stubble-burning problem.
