In a major gift to the people of the historic town of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday laid the foundation stone for sewerage and water supply projects worth 138.82 crore.
Addressing a public gathering at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, the Chief Minister said that Rs 90.68 crore will be spent on the new sewerage system and Rs 48.14 crore on water supply works. He said that the city has 31,000 households and once completed the projects will benefit around 1.58 lakh residents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people will no longer face issues of lack of clean drinking water and drainage.
The Chief Minister said that after 30 years, new sewerage and water supply projects are being initiated in this historic city. He said that it is unfortunate that despite the district having produced Chief Ministers and key cabinet ministers in the past, the city remained neglected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he considers himself fortunate that God blessed him to start these major projects here.
Discussing the current situation, the Chief Minister said that the existing sewerage system had outlived its life, causing frequent blockages adding that several new colonies lacked sewerage services. He said that the new projects will solve these chronic problems, particularly around Sri Darbar Sahib and nearby areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that two overhead tanks will be built one at the main waterworks on Kotkapura Road and another on Abohar Road.
The Chief Minister said Rs 17 crore has been allocated for restoring roads and municipal streets that will be affected by the works, and directed officials to complete the projects on time. Squarely blaming traditional political parties for pushing Punjab into drugs, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the government has been compelled to launch campaigns like “War Against Drugs” to remove this stigma. He said that the previous governments failed to rein in drug traffickers, leading thousands of youth to untimely deaths.
The Chief Minister said that now the state government is fighting the drug mafia, while earlier parties patronised them and were their protectors. Attacking leaders from traditional parties who supported the former Akali minister lodged in Nabha Jail on drug charges, Bhagwant Singh Mann said it was shocking to see Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Pratap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and BJP leaders Captain Amarinder Singh and Ravneet Singh Bittu publicly coming out in his support. He said that this exposed the collusion of these parties to cover up each other’s wrongdoings when in power.
Responding to MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s claim that the Akali-BJP government did not even know the meaning of the word “chitta” (heroin), the Chief Minister sarcastically said that it was true because back then, chitta was known as Majithia.” He said the words “chitta” and “Majithia” were synonymous during the Akali regime, as drug supplies were transported in red-beacon government vehicles.
Giving another example of corruption, Bhagwant Singh Mann said Bikram Singh Majithia looted Punjab through solar power deals by installing his own company’s plants and signing agreements to sell electricity to the government at Rs15 per unit, causing huge loss to state exchequer.
The Chief Minister said that the present government is now fighting a legal battle to cancel those anti-people and anti-state contracts.
Criticizing Captain Amarinder Singh, he said that after spending years resting in palaces, this seasonal bird has now resumed political campaigning. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Maharaja’s family has a dubious record of betraying the people of Punjab and siding with anti-Punjab forces be it the Mughals, British, Congress, or now the BJP.
The Chief Minister said that the scion of Patiala Royal family has always been loyal to those in power, not the people of the state. Calling Sukhbir Badal a major culprit of Punjab and the Sikh community, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that after confessing his sins before the supreme Sikh authority, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and accepting punishment, the former Deputy Chief Minister then publicly denied it which amounts to betrayal. He said that History will never forgive such betrayer who has backstabbed Punjab and Punjabis for his vested political interests.
The Chief Minister said that in its three-and-a-half-year tenure, the Aam Aadmi Party government has taken several pro-people decisions. He said that for the first time, canal water has reached at the villages in the tail end of the state resolving irrigation issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that several closed canals and distributaries were reopened adding that in some areas water flowed again after 37 years.
The Chief Minister said that Farmers are receiving daytime electricity, and 90% of households are getting free power, reducing financial pressure. He said that 56,856 youths have been given government jobs transparently, without recommendation or corruption. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the closure of 19 toll plazas has saved Punjabis Rs 64 lakh daily in toll fees.
The Chief Minister said that to provide accessible healthcare, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across the state offering free treatment and medicines.
He said that in the education sector, revolutionary measures have been launched, attracting national praise. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a total of 118 Schools of Eminence are being established, which are being viewed as a crucial step toward a bright future for underprivileged children.
The Chief Minister said that Students are receiving free uniforms, and a free bus service for girls ensures no girl is deprived of education. He said that these students are also being given special coaching for entry into the armed forces and competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CLAT, and NIFT. Bhagwant Singh Mann said it is a matter of pride that 265 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools qualified for JEE Mains, 44 for JEE Advanced, and 848 for NEET.
On this occasion, Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Dr. Baljit Kaur, local MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar, and other dignitaries were present
