CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s major step to break monopoly transport sector, hands over 505 mini bus permits to youth under ‘Rozgar Kranti Scheme’

*58,000 govt jobs given without corruption; youth empowered to become job givers, not job seekers: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Public transport strengthened with 1,311 new buses, modernised bus stands & mobile ticketing app: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Centre weakening MGNREGS through new rules, Punjab to convene special Vidhan Sabha session to protect workers’ rights: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Local body elections held in free & fair manner, rural Punjab voted for development over empty promises: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

Chandigarh, December 19:In a major breakthrough aimed at ending the monopoly of big players in the transport sector, the Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday handed over 505 Mini Bus Permits to unemployed youth of the state under the ‘Rozgar Kranti Scheme’.

During a function held at MGSIPA in Sector-26 here, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a historic milestone as the state government has started ‘Rozgar Kranti’ with this self employment initiative. “The Transport Department has approved 1,165 Small Stage Carriage Permits from March 2022 to till date and today 505 youngsters are getting permits under ‘Small Stage Carriage Permit Scheme’. These permits were handed over in a free and fair manner to empower these youth from the common families,” he noted.

Congratulating the youngsters who got the permits, the Chief Minister said that this move will boost the entire economy including Petrol Pump Operators, Bus Operators and other allied areas. “Earlier students had to face difficulties in lack of buses, now the state government has started school buses for girl students,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has allotted work of recarpetting of 43,000 km total roads including 19,000 km rural roads with condition of five year maintenance of roads.

The Chief Minister said that 58,000 youths got government jobs without any corruption, nepotism or recommendations adding that during previous regimes such bus permits were issued only to the blue eyed people who were close to the ruling people.

He said that as a fact of matter the previous rulers made this business as a family affair by issuing the permits to their loved ones and then monopolising this business. “Now this trend has been broken as an honest government which is committed for the well being of all is at the helm of affairs,” he said.

Speaking on the recently conducted local body polls, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, “Recent local bodies elections were conducted under free and fair manner and some of the candidates secured their seats by a margin of two or three votes. The opposition was unnecessarily making a hue and cry over the issue as they have been rejected by the people. People of state especially in rural areas have voted for the development and the works rather than mere lip service.”

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the blessed land with grace of god but the previous rulers have left no stone unturned to plunder its resources for their own benefits. “Badals had centralised the entire transport business due to which this system collapsed very badly and was controlled by few chosen ones,” he asserted.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a new fleet of 1,311 new Buses to strengthen Public Transport adding that private players will not be allowed to exploit the common man.

The Chief Minister said that the Bus stands of Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Ludhiana and Bathinda are being face lifted with ultra modern facilities. “We will start a new app to book bus tickets from their phones. The state government will start shuttle bus service in Punjab to strengthen the public transport sector thereby immensely benefitting the common man,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the State Cabinet has amended the rules to provide permits and other facilities to new players so that youth can get employment opportunities as well as to improve the public transport services. “We are in the process of changing the mindset of people to become Job Givers instead of Job Seekers so as to give impetus to the economy. The youth of Punjab has a lot of potential and the need of the hour is to harness it,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 17 Toll Plazas were discontinued and ₹64 lakh rupees of Punjabis saved daily. “Toll Plazas Companies wanted to increase the tenure of their terms to exploit the people but the state government didn’t allow it. Partap Singh Bajwa had set up a maximum Toll Plaza during his term as PWD Minister,” he pointed out.

The Chief Minister said that now the Union Government wanted to discontinue MNREGA with new rules and financial onus on the State Government has been increased. “Conditions were amended with intent to discontinue the scheme much to the dismay of the common people. The state government will convene a special session of state Vidhan sabha in January to discuss this issue in length and breadth,” he added.

Slamming the Centre for Agniveer Scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this scheme is purely unconstitutional and defeats the very purpose of the Indian army. “Our ancestors had sacrificed for this country as Punjab has produced a number of brave hearts who made supreme sacrifices to protect the country,” he noted.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as custodian of the Punjab he always stands to secure the rights of Punjab and will oppose such cynical moves of centre vehemently.

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CM appeals villages to rise above factionalism and uphold the spirit of brotherhood and communal harmony

*Interacts with residents at his native village Satauj*

*Invites parents to Mega Parent–Teacher Meetings (PTMs) to be held in 19,000 government schools on December 20*

*BJP-led Central Government wants to ruin the poor and the states by introducing new changes in the MGNREGA scheme*

Satauj (Sangrur), December 19:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today visited his native village, Satauj, where he interacted with villagers and shared memories associated with the village.

During his visit, while meeting representatives of the Panchayat and other villagers, the Chief Minister said that he has always been proud of his native village. He stated that he had not come to deliver a speech, but to share and be part of the joys and sorrows of the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the moments spent in his native village give him immense happiness and that he would always remain indebted to the village for the love and affection showered upon him.

Appealing to all villages to rise above factionalism and focus on development, the Chief Minister said that unity brings prosperity and that villages must always maintain communal harmony and brotherhood for progress and growth. He said that some leaders create factions in villages for their personal interests, and factionalism ultimately hampers development.

While interacting with the media, the Chief Minister urged parents to actively participate in and attend the Mega Parent–Teacher Meetings (PTMs) being organised on December 20 in all 19,000 government schools across the state. He said that his government was the first to introduce PTMs in government schools and that parents had responded enthusiastically. He added that this initiative would help prepare students to face future challenges. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that PTMs also help parents understand their children’s interests and progress through direct interaction with teachers.

The Chief Minister further said that to provide quality education to students of government schools, principals and teachers are being given world-class training in countries such as Singapore and Finland. He added that advanced coaching is also being provided to teachers at IIM Ahmedabad.

Speaking about employment for the youth, the Chief Minister said that every capable and eligible young person in the state is now being given a government job without any corruption or nepotism. He informed that since March 2022, more than 58,000 youths have been provided government jobs, and there are several families where two or even three members have secured employment.

Terming the recent changes made by the BJP-led Central Government in the MGNREGA scheme as a step to ruin the poor and the states, the Chief Minister said that the Centre has shifted 40 per cent of the funding burden onto the states, despite not releasing funds on time. He said that due to these changes, MGNREGA workers can no longer undertake works such as constructing schools, mandis and drains, which is a direct mockery of villages. He alleged that by adopting such tactics, the Centre intends to shut down the scheme altogether.