*Mann Government Transforming Punjab Through Employment, Education and Social Equality: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Government creating dignified employment opportunities within Punjab, reversing the trend of youth migration abroad*

*Over 10 lakh SC students benefited from scholarships; 10,000 Anganwadi recruitments and transformation of government schools have strengthened social justice*

Chandigarh, August 5:Punjab's Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development and Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today said in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has transformed Punjab's future by placing employment, quality education and social equality at the centre of governance. She said the Government is committed to building a self-reliant, inclusive and progressive Punjab where every youth has access to dignified employment within the State and every child receives quality education.

Quoting eminent Punjabi poet Dr. Navtej Bharti, Dr. Baljit Kaur said, "When working hands join together, the world becomes a better place to live. Our earth revolves not merely around the sun, but around hardworking hands." She said this philosophy reflects the vision that drives the Mann Government's people-centric policies and welfare initiatives.

The Minister said reversing the long-standing trend of youth migrating abroad in search of employment was one of the Government's biggest challenges. Over the past four years, the State Government has created large-scale employment opportunities, enabling young people to build successful careers in Punjab itself. She added that the Government's objective is to ensure that every section of society becomes an equal stakeholder in the State's growth and prosperity.

Citing an example from her constituency, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that 25 young people from village Fakarsar have secured employment during the last four years, including 20 from the Scheduled Caste community. She said this demonstrates that the benefits of the Government's policies are reaching deserving and marginalised sections of society at the grassroots level.

Highlighting the Government's commitment to educational empowerment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said previous governments had withheld Scheduled Caste scholarships for three years, adversely affecting the future of thousands of students. She said the Mann Government restored the scholarship scheme immediately after assuming office and increased the number of beneficiaries by 35 percent. As a result, more than 10 lakh Scheduled Caste students have benefited from scholarships during the past four years.

The Minister further said that the recruitment of 10,000 Anganwadi Workers and Helpers is far more than a government employment initiative. It is a historic step towards empowering women, particularly in rural Punjab, by providing them with sustainable livelihoods, strengthening thousands of families economically and enhancing women's confidence and financial independence.

Appreciating the far-reaching reforms introduced by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains in government schools, Dr. Baljit Kaur said education and employment share an inseparable relationship. Quoting renowned Punjabi poet Dr. Surjit Patar, she remarked, "How profound is the relationship between education and livelihood." She said quality education is the strongest foundation for sustainable employment and social progress.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said Punjab's government schools have undergone a remarkable transformation, ensuring that children from both affluent and economically weaker families receive quality education on an equal footing. She reiterated that by integrating employment generation, educational reforms and social justice, the Mann Government is laying the foundation for a prosperous, self-reliant and vibrant Rangla Punjab, where growth and opportunities are accessible to every citizen.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Reaches Families Across Every District; 2.91 Lakh Patients Receive Cashless Treatment Worth Over ₹1,044 Crore*

*Healthcare Scheme Is Successful Only When It Reaches People at Time They Need It Most: Dr Balbir Singh*

*Sehat Card Helped Us During Difficult Pregnancy & Gave My Baby Healthy Start: Sureshpal Kaur, Beneficiary*

*Free Knee Replacement Surgery Helped Me Return to a Better Quality of Life: Rupinder Kaur, Beneficiary*

*I Received Heart Treatment I Needed at Right Time Without Financial Burden: Bir Singh, Beneficiary*

CHANDIGARH, August 5:The real measure of a healthcare scheme is not just the amount spent or the number of cases processed, it is whether people are able to get treatment when they need it most. Bhagwant Mann Government's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) has now reached a significant milestone, with 2,91,417 beneficiaries receiving treatment support since 8 January 2026.

As per recent data from the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has provided healthcare services worth around ₹1,044 crore through cashless treatment facilities. Behind these numbers are families who were able to focus on recovery instead of worrying about arranging money during medical emergencies. Speaking on the achievement, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “A healthcare scheme is successful only when it reaches people at the time they need it. Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is not just about numbers; it is about making sure that a patient does not have to choose between treatment and financial burden. Every beneficiary represents a family that received support during a difficult time.”

The Health Minister further said, “We know that healthcare needs are constantly changing, and our responsibility is to keep improving the system. Through Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, we are working to make cashless treatment more accessible, strengthen healthcare delivery, and ensure that every eligible citizen gets the benefit of this initiative.”

Many beneficiaries have expressed their happiness and satisfaction over Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. For Sureshpal Kaur, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana became a support system during a difficult pregnancy. “During my pregnancy, I faced health complications because of high blood pressure and needed a C-section delivery, that’s when the Sehat card came to rescue. After birth, my baby required special neonatal care, which was also provided under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana package. The scheme supported us at a difficult time and gave my baby the care needed for a healthy start,” said Sureshpal Kaur.

For Rupinder Kaur from Sunam, years of knee pain had made everyday activities difficult. “I was suffering from severe knee pain and the thought of surgery was difficult because of the expenses involved. Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana helped me get my knee replacement surgery free of cost. The treatment has helped me return to a better quality of life,” said Rupinder Kaur.

Furthermore, a beneficiary Bir Singh from Tarn Taran received timely cardiac care under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana after being diagnosed with a heart condition. He underwent PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty) along with angiography.

"Doctors said heart treatment cannot always wait, and the expenses can be stressful for families. Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana helped me receive the treatment I needed at the right time,” said Bir Singh.

The impact of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is visible across Punjab, with beneficiaries from every district receiving treatment support. As per district-wise data from State Health Agency (SHA) Punjab, a total of 2,91,417 people have benefitted from the scheme. Patiala leads the state with 27,892 beneficiaries, followed by Bathinda with 22,584 and Ludhiana with 21,729 beneficiaries. The numbers show that the demand for accessible healthcare support is not limited to one region but is spread across Punjab.

The scheme has also reached a large number of beneficiaries in Jalandhar (19,312), Hoshiarpur (19,075), Amritsar (16,550), Sangrur (16,549), Sri Muktsar Sahib (14,800), Firozepur (13,344), and Gurdaspur (12,037). The district-wise beneficiary count further includes Moga (11,669), Fazilka (11,516), Mansa (10,539), Faridkot (10,309), Barnala (8,773) Tarn Taran (8,714), Rupnagar (8,574), S.A.S Nagar (8,085), Fatehgarh Sahib (7,933), Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar (6,999), Kapurthala (5,928), Pathankot (5,844), and Malerkotla (2,472). This wide coverage shows that Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is not only reaching major cities but also extending healthcare support to families across districts, including smaller towns and rural areas.

The growing reach of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana reflects a simple but important change in healthcare delivery, people are getting treatment without having to first worry about how they will pay for it. As the scheme continues to expand, its focus remains clear: making quality healthcare available, accessible, and affordable for the people of Punjab.

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs Senior Assistant red handed accepting bribe of Rs 1,00,000/-*

Chandigarh, 5 August 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Senior Assistant Bhupinder Kaur posted at RIA branch, DC Office SAS Nagar, red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. one lakh.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Chit tehsil Batala district Gurdaspur.

He informed that the accused senior assistant demanded a bribe of Rs. 8,00,000/- from the complainant in lieu of providing him an auction plot at the Sky Rock Welfare Society, Sector 111/112, Mohali.

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB Flying Squad -1 SAS Nagar. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Senior Assistant was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs one lakh from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station SAS Nagar and further investigation into this case is under progress.

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*Amritsar To Get Major Sanitation Boost as Bhagwant Mann Govt Clears 60 MLD STP, Work to Begin Soon*

CHANDIGARH, August 5:For years, Amritsar's sewage system struggled to keep pace with the holy city's needs, with untreated waste often ending up oveflowing in our streets. The Bhagwant Mann Government is now fixing this — approving a new 60 MLD (Million Litres per Day) Sewage Treatment Plant along with a matching pumping station, under the AMRUT 2.0 Scheme. The tender is already out and set to close in August 2026, with work starting right after.

Once ready, the plant will sharply boost Amritsar's sewage treatment capacity, taking pressure off the old, overloaded system and cutting down untreated discharge. It will also convert waste into Bio-CNG — clean, green energy generated right here in the city.

This is part of the Punjab Government's wider AMRUT 2.0 drive to upgrade urban infrastructure in cities across the state. Under the Amrut 2.0, Punjab Govt. has already delivered more than 64 projects and aound 50-60 are scheduled to be completed by March 2027.

On this, Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, "Amritsar is our holy city and we will make sure all its problem are successfully resolved whether it is sewerage issues or garbage issues or any other issue. This is what the Bhagwant Mann Government stands for — infrastructure that's built to last."

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*Punjab Vidhan Sabha Passes Resolution Applauding Punjab Government For Providing 68,228 Merit Based Government Jobs And ₹1.83 Lakh Crore Investment Proposals*

Chandigarh 5 August 2026:The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today passed a landmark resolution appreciating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government for its historic achievements in employment generation, transparent governance, and massive industrial growth.

The resolution, tabled by MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, lauded the state government’s successful two-pronged strategy: restoring complete transparency in government recruitments and attracting mega industrial investments to create sustainable private-sector jobs.

Speaking on the historic revamp of the recruitment system, MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal stated that Punjab government has permanently eliminated the decades-old culture of recommendations, political interference, and corruption in providing government jobs. By prioritizing merit over favoritism, the government has restored the confidence of lakhs of Punjabi youth.

Since April 1, 2022, the Punjab Government has provided 68,228 government jobs through a complete transparency, corruption-free, and merit-based process. Major government recruitments include 16,316 youth recruited in school education department, 14,723 youth recruited in Home affairs department, 8,706 youth recruited in power department, 5,681 persons recruited in Local Government department and 4,758 persons recruited in Health and Family Welfare department. Thousands of additional appointments were also made across vital sectors including Revenue, Medical Education, Water Resources, Agriculture, and others.

Acknowledging unprecedented industrial boom and private sector growth, the resolution highlighted the state's phenomenal success in attracting private investment through policy stability and ease of doing business. Between March 16, 2022, and July 31, 2026, Punjab secured 9,899 investment proposals worth ₹1,83,837 crore. These projects are projected to generate 6,16,436 employment opportunities for the youth across the state.

Leading global and national corporate giants—including Tata Steel, HMEL Organics, SAEL Solar, Ambuja Cements, Happy Forgings, Vardhman Special Steels, Nestle India, and others—have chosen Punjab for major expansion projects. These investments span critical high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, steel, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, food processing, IT, healthcare, logistics, and education.

He said our government's visionary governance empowers Punjab youth and mitigates forced migration to foreign nations.