Punjab Newsline | Gurdaspur
₹51 Lakh Grant for Village Development
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met residents during a Lok Milni programme in Sohal village of Gurdaspur district on Sunday. On the occasion, he announced a grant of ₹51 lakh for development works in the village. The Chief Minister said the government aims to ensure that development schemes benefit people in both rural and urban areas and that projects are undertaken according to local requirements.
Focus on Employment Opportunities
Highlighting employment initiatives in the state, the Chief Minister said that 71,777 youths had been provided government jobs so far. He stated that transparency and merit had been given priority throughout the recruitment process. The government is also planning to establish UPSC coaching centres in the state to help young people prepare for competitive examinations.
Canal Water Reaches More Agricultural Fields
Speaking about the agriculture sector, Mann said the area receiving canal water for irrigation had increased significantly. According to him, earlier only around 22 per cent of agricultural land in Punjab received canal water, while the figure has now risen to 85–86 per cent. The government's target is to increase this coverage to 90 per cent. He expressed hope that Punjab would contribute 200 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the national pool this year.
Improving the Quality of Government School Education
The Chief Minister also highlighted initiatives to improve education in government schools. He said teachers had been sent to institutions in Finland, Singapore and IIMs for professional training. He added that Punjab's ranking in foundational education had improved from 27th position in 2022 to first place. As many as 882 students from government schools had cleared the NEET examination, compared with 80 students in 2021.
Healthcare Facilities and Public Welfare Schemes
Mann said that under the Chief Minister Health Scheme, health cards had been issued to 54 lakh families out of 65 lakh eligible families. As many as 650 private hospitals had also been brought under the scheme. He also highlighted initiatives such as free bus travel, Aam Aadmi Clinics, improved facilities in government schools and financial assistance for women.
Public Grievances Addressed During Lok Milni
The Chief Minister said Lok Milni programmes were aimed at directly listening to people's grievances and directing the concerned officials to resolve them. He reiterated the government's commitment to expanding development works and public welfare initiatives across Punjab.
