CM Expresses Deep Shock and Anguish Over Tragic Mishap in Village Mandiala
Announces Financial Assistance of Rs 2 Lakh to Families of the Deceased and Free Treatment for the Injured
Chandigarh, August 23 :Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday expressed deep shock and anguish over the tragic mishap in village Mandiala, Hoshiarpur district, where two people lost their lives and 21 were injured following an explosion in an LPG tanker.
Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the incident, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty to grant them strength to bear this irreparable loss, and peace to the departed souls. Meanwhile, he announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and stated that he is in constant touch with the district administration to regularly monitor the situation. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said he has directed the district administration to ensure free treatment for all the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
==========================
Centre conspiring to stop free ration of 55 lakh Punjabis: CM
Ration to 23 lakh poor was stopped in July on pretext of no KYC
Now the union government had threatened to stop ration of 32 lakh Punjabis from September 30
Won’t allow to struck off a single ration card till I am CM
Chandigarh, August 23:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their anti-people stance aimed at depriving 55 lakh citizens of state from free food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Addressing media persons here, the Chief Minister said that out of of total 1.53 crore ration cards in the state, the BjP led government has conspired to discontinue free ration being given to 55 lakh poor. He said that making an excuse of not having KYC the centre had already stopped free ration for 23 lakh poor in July this year and now they have threatened to discontinue this benefit from 32 lakh more individuals from September 30 onwards. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the centre government will not succeed in its evil motives and he will not allow them to struck off even a single card.
The Chief Minister said that while the BJP claims to be pro-people and boasts of providing food grains to 80 crore people through the PDS, it is now attempting to cancel 8,02,493 ration cards in Punjab. This, he said, would effectively deprive around 32 lakh people of their entitlement to free rations. Bhagwant Singh Mann accused the BJP of shifting from “vote theft” to “ration theft,” asserting that it is especially unjust to target Punjab—a state that produces food grains to make the country self-reliant.
The Chief Minister criticized the rationale being used to delete ration cards, which includes ownership of four-wheelers, government jobs, small landholdings, and income. He pointed out the absurdity of penalizing entire families when just one member may fulfill one of these criteria. Bhagwant Singh Mann categorically stated that as long as he is the Chief Minister, not a single ration card will be deleted. In the state adding he dared BJP leaders to showcase this “achievement” during their ongoing mass outreach programs.
The Chief Minister also ridiculed the contradictory nature of central government schemes—one offering gas connections to the poor while another withdraws benefits on the same basis. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the BJP’s anti-poor agenda has been exposed, and reiterated that he has urged the Prime Minister and other central leaders to reconsider the exclusionary criteria. He emphasized the need to relax these conditions so that the maximum number of economically weaker and underprivileged people can benefit.
The Chief Minister made it clear that the Punjab government will strongly oppose this discriminatory move and has already requested a six-month window to thoroughly review the matter. He warned the Union Government to stop treating Punjabis as beggars, adding that the people of Punjab are not dependent on the Centre for their dignity and rights. Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that Punjabis will not succumb to the pressure tactics of the Union Government and will not surrender their legitimate rights.
The Chief Minister said that while Punjab has traditionally enjoyed a better standard of living than many other states, it has suffered adversely due to the poor governance of previous regimes. Hence, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Centre must revise the conditions of these schemes to ensure that deserving beneficiaries are not denied assistance. He reminded the Prime Minister that his vision of making India a Vishwaguru (global leader) cannot be realized while 32 lakh people in Punjab are being starved due to technicalities and ill-conceived policies.
The Chief Minister vowed that the state government would not allow the rights of its people to be usurped by the Government of India. Responding to a query, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that BJP leaders are facing legal action because they are attempting to breach the privacy of citizens by organizing camps to collect personal data—something that will not be permitted.
The Chief Minister further that the BJP has already been exposed for manipulating voter rolls and attempting to gain power through backdoor tactics in several states. However, he said that such efforts will not succeed in Punjab, and the government will ensure that citizens’ privacy remains protected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government is committed to safeguard the interests of the state and its people adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.
On a separate question, the Chief Minister said the state government is working on channelizing water sources to prevent devastation in Punjab caused by heavy rainfall in hilly regions. He noted the irony that while rains occur elsewhere in the hilly terrains but Punjab bears the brunt. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a comprehensive mechanism is being developed to address this issue and that he has already instructed officials to prepare a robust strategy after visiting flood-affected areas.
===========================
CM to Be Chief Guest at Tamil Nadu Government’s Expansion of Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme
Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu Calls on Punjab CM, Extends Invitation for Prestigious Event
Chandigarh, August 23:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will attend a prestigious function in Chennai as the Chief Guest to mark the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme by the Tamil Nadu Government.
Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, Shri Wilson, called on Chief Minister Mann today and formally extended an invitation on behalf of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The function, scheduled for August 26, will mark the expansion of the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme to all government-aided schools in urban areas.
During his interaction with the Rajya Sabha MP, Chief Minister expressed immense pride and satisfaction in being part of the event. He lauded the Tamil Nadu Government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, for launching several progressive and welfare-oriented schemes.Speaking about the initiative, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening to learn that the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, launched in 2022, has delivered remarkable outcomes—such as improved school attendance, enhanced attention spans, and a reduction in morbidity rates among primary school children.
The Chief Minister said the scheme has played a vital role in ensuring children attend school without hunger, improving their nutritional status, boosting learning capabilities, and easing the burden on working mothers. He that the scheme has already benefited 7.53 lakh students across 34,987 schools. Bhagwant Singh Mann added that it is an “August opportunity” to witness the expansion of such an ambitious and people-centric initiative.
The Chief Minister emphasized that schemes like this are the need of the hour to ensure the welfare of the most vulnerable and underprivileged sections of society. He further stated that the Aam Aadmi Party, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has brought education and healthcare to the forefront of national political discourse, emphasizing these sectors as key pillars of governance. Bhagwant Singh Mann profusely thanked the Rajya Sabha MP for extending the invitation on behalf of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister. “It will be a unique and enriching experience to witness the launch of a major educational reform in Tamil Nadu—a state known for its pioneering role in social and educational transformation”, he added.
=============================
Dr. Baljit Kaur issues directions to all Department Heads; Exempts differently-abled employees from night duty
Another significant step of the Punjab Government towards the welfare of differently-abled employees – Initiative to create barrier-free environment in government offices: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Chandigarh, August 23:Taking a considerate step towards the welfare of differently-abled employees, the Punjab Government has decided to exempt them from night duties. Disclosing this, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said that clear instructions have been issued to all departmental heads not to assign night duty to visually impaired and physically challenged employees.
Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that during recent meetings with associations of differently-abled employees, it was strongly highlighted that night duty poses serious challenges for visually impaired and physically disabled staff, particularly in terms of safety and commuting. She said this decision has been taken keeping in view humanitarian concern and the overall well-being of the employees.
The Minister further stated that as per Section 3 and Section 20 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, directions have already been issued earlier to ensure a barrier-free environment in government offices so that differently-abled employees may work in a convenient and accessible atmosphere.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the rights of differently-abled persons and providing them with all possible facilities in government service. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure their welfare and empowerment.
The Cabinet Minister added that this progressive decision will not only boost the morale of differently-abled employees but will also strengthen their sense of dignity and security in government service.
=====================================
SKILL REVOLUTION: PUNJAB LEAPS FORWARD WITH 50% INCREASE IN ITI SEATS & 814 NEW TRADES
• Move aims to equip students with in-demand skills & boost employability, says Harjot Singh Bains
• New trades meticulously designed to meet industry needs & driven by market demand: Technical Education Minister
Chandigarh, August 23:In a bold move to revolutionise vocational training and enhance employability in the state, Punjab Technical Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains has announced a significant expansion in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) capacity, increasing seats from 35,000 to 52,000, paving the way for a more skilled and employable generation.
S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that Punjab's ITI seats have witnessed a remarkable surge, growing from 25,000 in 2023 to 35,000 the next year, and now to 52,000, marking a significant 50% increase in seats. The expansion is fuelled by the introduction of 814 new trades, meticulously designed to meet industry needs and driven by market demand. Following extensive consultations with industry partners, Industrial Management Committees (IMCs), and the Punjab Development Commission, these trades have been carefully curated to equip students with in-demand skills, thereby enhancing their employability and job readiness.
The Education Minister emphasised that the new trades and courses are tailored to equip students with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, focusing on modern technologies and employability, to empower them with the skills needed to thrive in today's competitive job market. The initiative aims to expand career opportunities and boost employability for thousands of students across Punjab.
The expansion is a significant stride towards addressing Punjab's skill gap and boosting youth employability, said S. Harjot Singh Bains while adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is committed to providing students with world-class training and skills for setting them up for success in their future careers.
This substantial expansion showcases the Punjab Government's dedication to technical education and vocational training. It would have a profound impact on the state's education sector and economy.