Punjab Newsline | Jalandhar
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday attended a ‘Lok Milni’ program at Sarih village in Jalandhar, where he addressed a public gathering and highlighted the state government’s welfare initiatives, particularly the financial assistance being provided to women.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said the people of Punjab had already made up their minds and asserted that his government was continuously working to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Welcoming the large turnout, he said the enthusiasm of the people reflected their faith in the present government, adding that many had set aside their daily work to attend the program.
Highlighting the impact of financial assistance being credited to women’s bank accounts, Mann shared examples of messages and videos he said he regularly received from women expressing their happiness over the scheme.
He said some women had used the money to repay outstanding shop credit, while others had installed reverse osmosis (RO) water purifiers at home. Some elderly women, he added, had purchased bicycles for their grandchildren with the assistance.
Taking a light-hearted dig, the Chief Minister remarked that the month was nearing its end and women would soon receive a notification on their phones when the money was credited to their accounts on the first of the month.
“₹1,500 cannot make anyone rich, but it provides financial support to ordinary families and helps women live with dignity,” Mann said, explaining the significance of the assistance for household budgets.
He also joked that the scheme had brought happiness not only to women but also to men in their families. Earlier, he said, women often had to repeatedly ask their husbands for money, whereas direct transfers into their own bank accounts had brought greater financial independence and a happier atmosphere into households.
‘It is people’s money, not government charity’
Explaining the use of public funds, Mann said the money being spent on welfare schemes was not government charity but belonged to the people themselves.
He remarked that an ordinary citizen began contributing to government revenue through taxes embedded in everyday purchases and consumption. Even when a person bought basic household necessities, he said, the tax component contributed to public revenue.
Chief Minister alleged that previous governments had misused public money, while the present government was directing every rupee towards the welfare of the people.
Mann reiterated that his government was committed to improving the living standards of ordinary families and ensuring that public funds were used for the benefit of citizens.
