*Our Govt Is Following Ideals Of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Govt’s Every Decision Reflects Vision & Guidance Of Our Martyrs: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Govt Will Leave No Stone Unturned To Fulfil Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’s Dreams: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Govt To Spend ₹24.99 Crore On Heritage Complex Dedicated To Shaheeds At Hussainiwala: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Our Aim Isn't Only To Develop Hussainiwala But Also To Make It Tourist Destination: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Grand Heritage Entrance Gate, Heritage Corridor, Wall Paintings Along With Beautification Of Parks & Memorials To Be Developed: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

HUSSAINIWALA; 15th August 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said that the life, philosophy and supreme sacrifice of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev continue to guide every decision of his government, which is committed to turning their vision of a free, progressive and prosperous Punjab into reality. Paying floral tributes to the martyrs at Hussainiwala, he said the government will leave no stone unturned to fulfil Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’s dreams, while ₹24.99 crore is being spent on a dedicated Heritage Complex to preserve their glorious legacy and transform Hussainiwala into a major tourist destination.

During this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “These iconic leaders sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and its people. This place is sacred for every countryman as the mortal remains of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev, after their martyrdom, were cremated unceremoniously by the Britishers here. This place has been inspiring the youth of the country for selfless service towards the nation.”

Expressing his gratitude for visiting the sacred land, the Chief Minister stated, “I am blessed to have visited this sacred land for paying tributes to the legendary martyrs who laid down their lives at the altar of the national freedom struggle. Our government is leaving no stone unturned for realising the dream of Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh. The nation will always be indebted to this martyr who sacrificed his life at a young age of 23 years for emancipating the country from the clutches of British imperialism.”

Highlighting the impact of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s sacrifice on the youth, he said, “The Shaheedi of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh at a young age had motivated the youth to join the national freedom struggle, thereby leading to the independence of the country. Shaheed-e-Aazam will remain a source of inspiration for millions of youth to render selfless service to the nation. I call upon the youth to follow the footsteps of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to make India a progressive and prosperous country.”

On the Hussainiwala Heritage Complex, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The work on the Hussainiwala Heritage Complex has been started and an amount of ₹24.99 crore will be spent on this project. This project is a humble effort to honour our great martyrs and aims to preserve the glorious legacy of freedom fighters for future generations. The main objective is to develop the heritage area at Hussainiwala, and the construction of this heritage complex will also boost tourism.”

Detailing the features of the project, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This project will include a grand heritage entrance gate for the complex, a heritage corridor on both sides dedicated to the lives of martyrs, along with wall paintings and beautification and landscaping of parks and memorial areas. Likewise, thematic representation of historical events and personalities, a 3D mapping show on the old bridge to showcase historical narratives and installation of a musical fountain setup will also be there.”

Listing other facilities to be provided at the complex, the Chief Minister stated, “The complex will also have a dedicated play area for children, recreational and comfortable spaces for senior citizens, an on-grid solar power plant and provision of an RO plant for clean drinking water.”

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*Punjab Government under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Committed to Building the ‘Rangla Punjab’ Envisioned by Martyrs: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Finance Minister unfurls the Tricolour in Ludhiana on the 80th Independence Day; pays homage to the supreme sacrifices of martyrs*

*Punjab achieves major milestones in education, healthcare, economy, public welfare, agriculture, and infrastructure: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Distinguished achievers from various fields honored on the occasion*

Chandigarh/*Ludhiana, August 15*:On the occasion of the nation's 80th Independence Day, Punjab's Minister for Finance, Planning, Transport, Excise, and Taxation, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, unfurled the Tricolour and extended warm greetings to citizens. Remembering the unmatched sacrifices of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Dr. Diwan Singh Kalepani, and all freedom fighters, he stated that Punjabis led from the forefront in India's freedom struggle. He affirmed that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is following the ideals of the martyrs and Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which led to installing their portraits in government offices and setting up a statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Mohali Airport.

Finance Minister Cheema stated that the Punjab Government increased the ex-gratia grant for next-of-kin of martyred personnel from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, covering Agniveers and martyred police personnel as well. Monthly financial assistance for Dharmi Faujis was raised to ₹12,000, freedom fighter pensions were increased to ₹11,000 per month, and a 1% reservation was provided for their legal heirs in government jobs. Preserving religious heritage, ₹100 crore was allocated for the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, and a ₹37-crore Bani Research Centre is being constructed at Dera Sachkhand Ballan. In addition, 650 acres of bagichi’s, Shobha Yatras, and awareness vans have been launched. Major events also include marking the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, staging religious plays like Humare Ram, and enabling over 4 lakh pilgrims to visit sacred shrines under the ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme.’

Highlighting financial strengthening to support public services, he said Punjab registered a 20% growth in GST revenue during the first four months of the current financial year, and in July, the state achieved a 16.23% SGST cash growth—the highest in the country. He added that the budget for the ‘Rangla Punjab Development Scheme’ for this financial year has been increased to ₹1,170 crore.

On the education revolution, he stated: "Punjab schools have introduced AI and entrepreneurship curricula. 118 Schools of Eminence are being developed, teachers are receiving training in Singapore and Finland, over 15,000 students have access to free bus services, fee hikes in private schools have been capped at 5%, and ITI seats have expanded to 52,000. Students have also achieved top ranks in JEE and NEET exams."

Emphasizing employment generation for youth, Minister Cheema said over 69,000 government jobs have been provided since April 2022, a dedicated bill was passed for outsourced employees, and workers' wages saw a 15% increase.

Outlining initiatives in healthcare, the Finance Minister said: "Through the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana’, 65 lakh families receive free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh annually. Over 6 crore people have benefited from 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics, 356 hi-tech ambulances have been deployed, and more than 11,000 classes are conducted daily under ‘CM Di Yogshala’."

On public welfare and women's empowerment, Cheema noted: "Under the ‘Mukh Mantri Mavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ with a ₹9,300 crore budget, women receive ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per month. Additionally, free bus travel for women, the Ashirwad Scheme, ‘Meri Rasoi’ ration kits, the Farishtey Scheme, the closure of 21 toll plazas saving commuters money, and 300 units of free power ensuring zero electricity bills for 90% of households have all been delivered."

On agriculture, the state’s primary economic driver, he said: "Punjab provided the country’s highest State Agreed Price for sugarcane at ₹416 per quintal, canal irrigation expanded to 60.30 lakh acres, stubble burning incidents fell by 53%, and agricultural tubewell power remains completely free."

In industry, the state received ₹1.83 lakh crore in investment proposals, registered 13.53 lakh new MSMEs, implemented the new Industrial Policy 2026, and extended the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme deadline up to September 30, 2026.

Regarding law and order, under the ‘War on Drugs’, over 75,000 drug peddlers were arrested, and more than 59,000 criminals were detained under ‘Assault on Gangsters’. The Road Safety Force helped reduce accident fatalities by 53%. The anti-corruption helpline has also led to penalties for hundreds of corrupt individuals.

The Minister highlighted the construction of 45,000 km of roads, adding 1,279 new buses to the state fleet, Airport Volvo services, and launching 56 digital transport services. Administrative reforms include 437 doorstep citizen services under ‘Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar’, Easy Registry, plot registry without NOC requirements, piped water access to 100% of rural homes, and reclaiming 14,200 acres of government land from illegal encroachments.

Terming the hike in the sports budget to ₹1,744 crore a historic step, he said: "Cash rewards and jobs were provided to athletes, the traditional bullock cart races at Kila Raipur resumed after 11 years, and Punjab is hosting the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy."

Speaking on Ludhiana district, Cheema said development in the industrial city gained momentum this year with the construction of the Halwara Airport terminal building and the launch of 2 daily flights between Halwara and Delhi. He noted: "School of Eminence Kidwai Nagar and School of Eminence Miller Ganj are providing high-standard, future-ready education to students from all backgrounds. Robotics labs at PAU School and School of Eminence Inderpuri are training students in coding and robotics, sharpening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills."

The Finance Minister added that 80 new Aam Aadmi Clinics are being established in Ludhiana, with 37 already functional and the remaining 43 opening within a month. Civil Hospital Ludhiana secured the 1st rank in the Kayakalp assessment. The MCH wing is adding 100 beds, a CCU with 75 beds is under construction, and District Hospital Ludhiana is on track to become a 500-bed facility by the end of the year. The cancer care unit is operational and offering chemotherapy.

In public welfare programs, Ludhiana led the state with over 5 lakh women registering under the ‘Mukh Mantri Mavan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’. Programs like Project Ummeed, Cafe Spice, assistive aid camps, and de-addiction drives are making Ludhiana an inclusive model of development. Sports infrastructure in the city has seen upgrades including a high-end gym, renovation of Shastri Badminton Hall, construction of a weightlifting hall, a shooting range revamp completing in 1 month, and a modern indoor volleyball stadium opening within 4 months.

Distinguished contributors across various sectors were honored during the ceremony.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLAs Madan Lal Bagga, Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Daljit Singh Grewal, Ashok Parashar Pappi, and Kulwant Singh Sidhu; Mayor Inderjit Kaur; Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Parashar; Deputy Mayor Prince Johar; Chairman Navjot Singh Jarg; Chairman Tejpal Singh Gill; District and Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa; Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain; Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma; Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar; District President Jatinder Singh Khangura, among others.