*Akali & Congress govts deliberately kept Punjab’s children uneducated: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*They aren't concerned about progress of people of Punjab, but only about their sons, daughters and relatives: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*BJP is dreaming of winning Punjab elections on strength of leaders who have joined it from other parties: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Govt is honestly spending every single penny of people of Punjab on their welfare & progress: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*With Arvind Kejriwal’s new engine, Punjab is moving on path of progress; engines of BJP, Akali and Congress have become outdated: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann lays foundation stone of Government ITI in Sardulgarh; 240 students to be skilled every year*

MANSA, 24th February 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that decades of Akali and Congress rule deliberately kept Punjab’s children uneducated while political families thrived, asserting that those parties were never concerned about public progress but only about securing power for their sons, daughters and relatives. Addressing a gathering in Sardulgarh after laying the foundation stone of a Government ITI that will skill 240 students every year, he said the BJP is now banking on defectors from other parties to chase electoral dreams, but Punjab has chosen a different path.

Emphasising that his government is spending every single penny of the state exchequer honestly on the welfare and advancement of the people, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that the AAP government, Punjab is running on a new engine of development, while the engines of the BJP, Akali Dal and Congress have become outdated and incapable of driving the state forward.

Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Akali Dal is itself a dinosaur which has usurped the state and its people. While the AAP government is making strenuous efforts to prepare Punjabi youth for futuristic needs by making them Doctor and Engineers, Akali Dal is bent upon dragging them back to Dinosaur Era in the state.”

He reminded the people that Dinosaurs eat the human beings, adding that this is favorite animal of Akalis who have usurped Punjab, Punjabis and the hard earned money of people. “People will never elect such people who had ruined the state and had usurped our generations by their atrocious moves,” he said.

Taking a jibe over the Akal Dal’s Punjab Bachao Yatra, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the real name of this gimmick of Akali Dal is ‘Parivar Bachao Yatra’. “I dare the Akali leaders to explain that after looting the state for 15 years, from whom they are trying to save the state from. People had elected Akalis but they proved to be traitors and had always backstabbed the state and its people,” he added.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reminded people that when the entire farming community was fighting for their rights, the Akalis had supported the Modi government on draconian farm laws just for saving their berth in the Union Ministry.

He said that Akalis had misused the panth for their vested political interests due to which they cannot be forgiven by the people. Taking a jibe over BJP, he said that the saffron party is banking on the deadwood of other parties in hope of winning the elections. “This strategy of the BJP will not work in the state as their engine with worn out spare parts of other machines will not be able to run long,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister said that the traditional political parties are envious of him because they are not able to digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively. “The people of Punjab have lost their faith in the traditional political parties because of their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance,” he added.

He reiterated that the previous rulers were more concerned about their family members rather than Punjab and Punjabis due to which they have been shown the door.

However, the Chief Minister said that after assuming charge of office, he has laid special focus on the progress and prosperity of Punjab, especially this region. He pointed out that previous governments converted schools in the entire state into just Mid Day Meal Centres but now these schools have been transformed into Educational hubs. “The AAP government is working on a mission of boosting education in the state and ensuring the access of quality education to the poor students,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister said that to impart quality education to the youth 118 Schools of Eminence have been set up in the state and teachers have been sent for training in Finland and Singapore, for upscaling their teaching skills. “Congress and Akalis have only a four point agenda, which is to ensure the welfare of themselves, their sons, and their brother-in-laws. As Education is the key for progress, our government has laid due emphasis on development of this sector and in the coming days a person will be called rich not by his wealth but by the education acquired by his children,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is judiciously utilizing every single penny of the state exchequer for the well being of the people of the state. “More than 90% households in Punjab are getting free power, even the farmers are today getting power in the daytime which has been unprecedented. At a time when the assets of the country are being given by the Union government to their blue eyed friends at throw away prices, the Punjab government has created history by buying a private thermal plant,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister stated that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened in Punjab to provide free healthcare to people adding that quality healthcare facilities are being provided to the people in the government hospitals. “At the time when the state government had assumed the charge of office, only 21% of canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 68% of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that as many as 6,900 km long, 18,349 water courses have been revived in Punjab to provide water at tail ends thereby immensely benefitting the farmers. “In order to provide comprehensive healthcare to people the state government has launched Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which has significantly eased the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services,” he affirmed.

The Chief Minister said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state. “More than 63,000 government jobs have been given to the youth of Punjab without any bribe or recommendation due to which every section of society is happy,” he noted.

In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening food and nutrition security, the state government has launched the ‘Meri Rasoi Yojna’. “Under this scheme 40 lakh families will receive free quarterly food kits starting April, in addition to wheat provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The hard working and resilient farmers of Punjab have worked tirelessly to ensure that no one in the country sleeps hungry and our state has always led from the front in feeding the nation. However, there are still some families within Punjab who struggle to manage daily meals,” he said.

The Chief Minister noted, “Under this scheme, the Punjab government will provide food kits to 40 lakh families and each kit will contain two kilograms of lentils, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram of salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder and one litre of mustard oil for monthly consumption. These food kits will be provided in addition to the wheat already being distributed to eligible beneficiaries under the NFSA. I am thankful to this region, which has always showered a lot of love to me both as an artist and now as a politician.”

The Chief Minister said, “I will always remain indebted to the people of the region for this love. This area was earlier labelled as backward area and even the state used to issue certificates for it, and no focus was laid on the progress of this region. However, the AAP government is working tirelessly to remove this tag by launching a number of development projects. Foundation stone for a Government ITI in village Fatehgarh Sahnewali has been laid to provide skill-oriented training and technical courses to youth.”

The Chief Minister profusely thanked the Fatehgarh Sahnewali panchayat for giving five acres of land free of cost for this project adding that the construction, staff recruitment, infrastructure, and other expenses for the ITI will cost approximately ₹24.50 crore. “This institution with capacity of 240 students will offer training in five trades viz. Electrician, Mechanic Electric Vehicle, Refrigeration & Air Conditioner Technician, Industrial Robotics & Digital Manufacturing Technician, and CNC Machining Technician. With this ITI, rural youth in the area will get the opportunity for skill-based education near their homes,” he added.

Likewise, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that two new Bridges are coming up at a cost of ₹17.31 Crore adding that residents of around 27 villages in Sardulgarh constituency bordering the Ghaggar river, had to travel long detours to cross the river. “To solve this problem, a new bridge is being built at village Bhalluana with a cost of ₹12.03 crore. Similarly, a new steel bridge is being constructed at village Barn at a cost of ₹5.28 crore, which will reduce people’s extra travel by 5-9 km,” he added.

He further said that to provide quality health facilities to residents of Sardulgarh, a Mohalla Clinic is being opened in the city at a cost of ₹39 lakh which will offer 107 types of free medicines and 47 types of free tests. “Likewise, a Health & Wellness Centre will be built at village Bhagwanpur Hinga with a cost of ₹55 lakh. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that next to the Sardulgarh sub-divisional hospital, a Block Public Health Unit will be built at ₹49 lakh, providing laboratory services under one roof, along with a data centre and SMO meeting-cum-conference hall,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that ₹1.25 crore is being spent on Minor Concrete Lining, ₹1 crore is being spent for Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s Charan Chhoh Village Development Projects in two villages and the capacity of the Danewala 66 KV grid has been increased from 12.5 MVA to 20 MVA at a cost of ₹2.33 crore to ensure uninterrupted power supply, especially to the farming community during the paddy season.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that Mansa-Talwandi Sabo Road is being upgraded at a cost of ₹31.20 Crore, ₹33.07 crore are being spent on construction of new watercourses and ₹12.83 crore is being spent to set up new Grids in Villages Jhanda Kalan, Ullak, and Banawala New. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that ₹14.76 crore is being spent to lay new sewerage pipelines in Sardulgarh city, which will cover 24.80 km of sewerage system and other projects. He also announced to upgrade the Sardulgarh Government hospital to 100 bedded hospital for providing quality treatment to the people.

In his address, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the foundation stone of this ambitious project has been laid. This project will give a boost to the economic development and the prosperity of this entire region. We are pursuing the politics of honesty and work and all sort of negative agenda will be rejected by people.”

Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “The mandate of 2022 was in the favor of the agenda of Health and Education for the well -being of the common people. The ITI will act as a game changer by opening new vistas of employment for the children of the common man. The state government is committed for the welfare of Punjab and Punjabis.”

On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Gurmeet Singh Khudian, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and others were also present.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt simplifies Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana enrollment*

*• Punjab Health Minister announces on-spot registration with just Aadhaar & Voter ID*

*• Top performer VLEs at CSCs to be rewarded with preferential employment opportunities within Punjab Govt: Dr. Balbir Singh*

CHANDIGARH: February 24:The Bhagwant Mann government on Tuesday scrapped bureaucratic hurdles in its flagship Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), announcing instant on-the-spot registration with just Aadhaar and Voter ID at Common Service Centres (CSC) across the state. Chairing a high-level review meeting, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh also unveiled performance-based incentives for Village Level Entrepreneurs, promising preferential employment opportunities within the Punjab Government for top performers, while launching a statewide mobilisation drive to ensure 100 percent saturation of the scheme.

Chairing a high level virtual meeting with Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and Deputy Commissioners, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh directed officials to move beyond traditional outreach methods and expand the registration drive. He informed that any Punjab resident possessing an Aadhaar card and a Punjab Voter Identity Card can simply walk into any Common Service Centre (CSC) or designated registration camp to enrol in the scheme.

In a unique move to boost efficiency, Dr Balbir Singh announced performance based incentives for Village Level Entrepreneurs operating the Common Service Centres. Recognising their critical role as the last mile connect for digital governance, he said, “Top performing Village Level Entrepreneurs who expedite the registration drive will be rewarded with preferential employment opportunities within the Punjab Government.”

He added that this initiative is expected to galvanise the Village Level Entrepreneur network and turn every Common Service Centre into a hub of activity dedicated to securing health coverage for the people of Punjab.

Emphasising the government’s commitment, Dr Balbir Singh stated, “Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will not allow a single family in Punjab to be pushed below the poverty line due to out of pocket medical expenses. By allowing registration with just two basic documents, the government is removing every possible barrier between citizens and their right to free healthcare.”

To ensure 100 percent saturation of the scheme, the Punjab Health Minister launched a massive grassroots mobilisation campaign and directed all Deputy Commissioners to activate the state’s extensive network of Accredited Social Health Activists and Anganwadi workers. These frontline workers will conduct door to door campaigns to identify eligible families and guide them to the nearest enrolment centres, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind.

The virtual meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Mr Kumar Rahul, Member Punjab Development Commission Mr Anurag Kundu, Chief Executive Officer State Health Agency Mr Sanyam Aggarwal, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, and other senior officials from the Health Department.

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*Dr. Balbir Singh Kickstarts 2-Day Training for Newly Promoted SMOs*

*•Health Minister Urges SMOs to Lead from the Front*

*• Directs SMOs to ensure the effective implementation of key health schemes including Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana*

Chandigarh, February 24:Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, today inaugurated a comprehensive two-day capacity building training programme for newly promoted Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), emphasising their pivotal role in strengthening the public health delivery system at the district and block levels.

Congratulating the officers on their promotion, Dr. Balbir Singh stated that this training is specifically designed to enhance their administrative, managerial, and programme implementation capacities to ensure that they discharge their new responsibilities with confidence and efficiency. He highlighted that the success of the state’s flagship health initiatives depends largely on the leadership, supervision and commitment of these officers at the field level.

The Health Minister directed the SMOs to ensure the effective implementation of key health schemes including Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY), while asking them to monitor the progress closely by ensuring 100% beneficiary enrolment and timely card generation. The SMOs can leverage the funds for localised healthcare upgrades under the MMSY.

Dr. Balbir Singh directed Senior Medical Officers to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines and diagnostics at Aam Aadmi Clinics, besides supervising the launch of new facilities. He also tasked SMOs with bolstering de-addiction services and monitoring OOAT clinics under Yudh Nashian Virudh initiative.

Furthermore, the Health Minister underscored the importance of the Free Medicines initiative, mandating 100% availability of essential drugs and maintaining transparent stock management to prevent shortages.

He assigned SMOs the responsibility of monitoring the NCD Screening Programme for all individuals above 30 years of age for hypertension, diabetes and cancer, while calling for rigorous supervision of case detection and treatment adherence under the TB Mukt Abhiyan 100-day campaign.

Sharing an anecdote out of his own career as a doctor, he recalled that once he was transferred from CHC Kauli in district Patiala but the people from the village went to the then Health Minister and the Chief Minister to stop my transfer from the village. He exhorted the doctors to serve with such a zeal in the community.

Dr Balbir Singh called for ethical practice, service with smile, compassion and empathy with emphasis on networking with the community as sometimes even simple things can make a big difference. He called upon the officers to work with dedication and accountability to fulfill the vision of a healthy, drug-free, and empowered Punjab—a truly Sehatmand and Rangla Punjab.

Dr Hitinder Kaur Director Health and Family Welfare, Dr Aditi Salaria Director Health Services (Family Welfare) also motivated the newly promoted SMOs to work efficiently and effectively.

Dr Parvinder Kaur Program officer (Training) and other State Program Officers will be training the participants in detail regarding successful implementation of various health programs.

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*Mann Government Takes Major Step for Senior Citizens; Comprehensive Care from Health to Security: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Over 16,000 Senior Citizens Linked with Government Welfare Services: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*₹7.86 Crore Allocated for Welfare of Senior Citizens: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Healthcare, Pension and Legal Protection Under One Roof: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

Chandigarh, February 24:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously taking concrete steps to ensure the safety, health and social welfare of senior citizens, considering them a precious part of our society. The government remains firmly committed to safeguarding their dignity, security and overall well-being. Under the state-level campaign “Our Elders, Our Pride”, more than 16,000 senior citizens have been registered through health check-up camps and linked with various government welfare schemes across the state.

Sharing further details, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, informed that under the Senior Citizen Action Plan, a budget provision of ₹7.86 crore has been made for the financial year 2025–26 for organising health check-up camps and other welfare-related activities for senior citizens.

She said that during these camps, 4,543 senior citizens underwent general health check-ups, 2,071 received orthopaedic consultations, 3,705 had eye examinations, 1,129 participated in yoga sessions, 1,489 availed homeopathic treatment, while 2,054 benefited from ayurvedic services, assistive devices and other essential facilities.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further stated that under the ALIMCO scheme, 243 senior citizens were registered, out of which 89 were provided with wheelchairs, spectacles and hearing aids. In addition, 355 old-age pension forms were prepared and 393 senior citizen cards were issued during these camps.

The Cabinet Minister said that health check-up camps have already been organised in most districts of Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala, while similar camps will be organised shortly in Faridkot and Sangrur.

She added that under the State Action Plan, district-level health check-up camps and allied activities were conducted through this budget allocation. At these camps, senior citizens were provided facilities such as cataract surgery referrals, free distribution of assistive devices, old-age pension services, issuance of senior citizen cards, yoga camps, legal awareness programmes and other awareness activities under one roof. Under this initiative, 2,187 senior citizens were made aware of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

To keep senior citizens actively connected with society, productive and inter-generational activities were also organised. Under these initiatives, 379 senior citizens participated in productive and active ageing camps, while 140 took part in inter-generational activities such as Giddha, Bhangra, poetry and theatre. Additionally, 1,841 senior citizens strengthened their physical and mental well-being by participating in yoga camps.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that senior citizens are a precious and valued part of society, and taking care of them is both the moral and social responsibility of the Mann Government. She emphasised that the success of these initiatives depends on collective efforts and appealed to families and society to actively encourage senior citizens to participate in these health and welfare camps.

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*Vigilance Bureau arrests Sarpanch for demanding bribe of Rs. 50000/-*

Chandigarh, February 24, 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in line with the zero tolerance policy adopted by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government, has apprehended Sarpanch Gurcharan Singh of village Devinagar (Abhravan) district SAS Nagar for demanding a bribe Rs. 50000/-.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest has been made following a complaint lodged on the Chief Minister’s Anti Corruption Action Line portal. During the verification of this complaint, it came to light that Sarpanch Gurcharan Singh of village Devinagar( Abhravan) of district SAS Nagar demanded bribe of Rs. 1,00,000 in lieu of releasing impounded tractor of complainant from Police Station Bannur. On the request of the complainant who is the resident of village Devinagar, deal was settled at Rs. 50,000/- with accused Sarpanch. The complainant had recorded the entire audio conversation.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB Police Station SAS Nagar range. Further investigation into this case is underway, he added.

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Punjab State Food Commission Member Vijay Dutt terms ‘Meri Rasoi’ Scheme a masterstroke towards Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security

Chandigarh, February 24:Welcoming the announcement of the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme by the Punjab Government to provide free ration kits to 40 lakh families, Punjab State Food Commission Member Vijay Dutt stated that this initiative is a significant step towards strengthening food and nutrition security in line with the spirit of the National Food Security Act.

He said that the primary objective of the Commission is to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive their entitled food grains and essential commodities in a timely manner and with assured quality.

In this context, the quarterly distribution of ration kits under the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme would play an important role in enhancing the nutritional support available to families across the state.

Vijay Dutt informed that under the scheme, each eligible family will receive two kilograms of pulses, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram of salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder, and one litre of mustard oil. These kits will be provided in addition to the wheat distributed under the National Food Security Act.

He further stated that the Commission will closely monitor the implementation of the scheme to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the distribution process.

Maintaining strict quality standards in procurement, storage, and supply of food items is essential, and the Commission will coordinate with the concerned departments to ensure compliance with prescribed norms.

Such initiatives will further strengthen the food security framework in Punjab and help ensure that eligible families receive adequate and nutritious food. The Punjab State Food Commission remains committed to safeguarding the food rights of citizens.

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