Punjab Newsline | Mohali
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal while distributing licences to 2,800 new ration depot holders in Mohali. The event is part of the state government's drive to improve doorstep access to essential food supplies for lakhs of beneficiaries.
Addressing the gathering, Mann accused the Congress of being consumed by an internal power struggle, saying its leaders are fighting only for the chief minister's chair instead of focusing on Punjab's development. He remarked that the chair "has not come to them yet, and may it never come if greed is the only motive."
Chief Minister also alleged that during the previous Akali Dal government, narcotics were transported in beacon-fitted official vehicles. Referring to former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Mann claimed that despite being out on bail, he was behaving "as if he had conquered a fort," adding that legal bail does not erase public accountability.
Mann further criticised opposition parties, alleging that Congress leaders themselves had spoken of a ₹500-crore price tag for becoming Chief Minister. He claimed that anyone spending such an amount to gain power would recover it through corruption at the cost of public welfare, education, healthcare, and employment.
Highlighting his government's governance model, Mann said Punjab's treasury is no longer under pressure because revenue leakages have been plugged. He contrasted his administration with previous governments, which, according to him, frequently claimed the state treasury was empty.
Chief Minister also accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of running a campaign against him through boycott posters outside gurdwaras. He questioned why similar protests were not held after the Behbal Kalan sacrilege incident, alleging that political double standards were being followed.
Mann warned that if opposition parties returned to power, they would roll back welfare schemes introduced by his government. He defended initiatives aimed at strengthening public services, including the recent regularisation of long-serving workers and reforms in education.
Speaking about development, Mann claimed Punjab has made significant progress in education since his government took office and asserted that better water management has reduced unnecessary consumption. He also accused previous governments of exploiting Punjab's resources while ignoring the needs of ordinary citizens.
5.5 Lakh Beneficiaries to Benefit
Under the new initiative, the state government has issued 2,800 new ration depot licences, bringing ration distribution centres closer to people. The move is expected to benefit nearly 5.5 lakh ration card holders, reducing travel distance and making access to subsidised food grains more convenient across both rural and urban Punjab.
