Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the state has expanded the reach of canal irrigation to around 80% of its agricultural land, with the government now aiming to extend canal water access to 100% of farmland. Speaking at a Lok Milni programme in Jindwari village of Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mann highlighted various initiatives and achievements of the Punjab government.
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said a pipeline network spanning around 14,000 kilometres has been developed to carry canal water to agricultural fields. According to him, the network is helping provide farmers with a more reliable source of irrigation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann claimed that before his government came to power, canal irrigation covered only around 22% of the agricultural area.
Free Electricity and Employment Among Key Priorities
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said more than 90% of families in Punjab are benefiting from free electricity. He also claimed that the state government has provided more than 70,000 government jobs to young people on the basis of merit.
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said efforts have also been made to ensure that farmers receive electricity during the daytime, particularly for agricultural activities.
Focus on Education and Sports Infrastructure
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann described education as an important instrument of social change, saying that financial assistance and subsidised schemes alone cannot completely eliminate poverty. He also highlighted initiatives aimed at keeping young people away from drugs by developing sports infrastructure. According to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, around 3,100 sports stadiums have been established in the state.
He further claimed that the Punjab Government is working to strengthen schools, healthcare facilities and other basic infrastructure.
45,000 Km of Roads Being Upgraded
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said repair and upgradation work is being carried out on around 45,000 kilometres of roads across Punjab.
He said the government’s objective is to use revenue collected through taxes for development projects and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure.
Cashless Healthcare Cover of Up to ₹10 Lakh
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also referred to the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana’, under which families in Punjab are to receive access to cashless healthcare treatment of up to ₹10 lakh, according to the details presented at the programme. He described the initiative as an important step towards strengthening healthcare services in the state.
₹9,300 Crore Provision for ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also spoke about the ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ for women. According to Mann, eligible women aged above 18 years will receive financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month, while eligible women belonging to Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1,500 per month. He said a provision of ₹9,300 crore has been made in the budget for the scheme.
Punjab Government Highlights Development Agenda
During the Lok Milni programme, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated the government’s focus on irrigation, free electricity, employment, education, healthcare, sports and infrastructure development. Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Lok Sabha member Malvinder Singh Kang, along with other leaders and government officials, were present at the event.