HOLDS PARLEYS WITH THE PEOPLE AT SAMRALA AND LIBRA
SEEKS VITAL INPUTS FROM THE PEOPLE TO CARVE OUT RANGLA PUNJAB
Punjab Newsline, Samrala/ Libra (Ludhiana)-
In a paradigm shift from previous regimes people’s CM (Chief Minister) Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday interacted with the people of the villages under shades of tree and sought their vital inputs regarding the carving out of Rangla Punjab and apprised them about key initiatives of his government.
There were no cozy sofas or the formalities of government protocol in usual meetings of the state government but there was a sense of belongingness where a Chief Minister visited the ground to open his mind with the people and get feedback from them. Likewise, the people also reciprocated and talked freely with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and gave their views to him. The camaraderie and bonhomie amongst the Chief Minister and people was at its peak as Bhagwant Singh Mann struck an emotional chord with them on political, social and other issues of the state.
The Chief Minister said that at the time he assumed office, only 21% of canal water was being used for irrigation but today that number has risen to 63%. He said that due to the concerted efforts of the Punjab government for the first time the water of canals and rivers have reached the villages in the tail end of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann also mentioned that his government successfully safeguarded Punjab’s water resources from being diverted to other states.
The Chief Minister informed the farmers that in order to avoid complications to them in selling their paddy harvest due to high moisture content in October, the state government has advanced the paddy cultivation season from June 1. For this, he said that zone wise cultivation of the paddy crop has been ensured in the state along with necessary planning and arrangements. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state was divided into zones to implement this sowing mechanism in an effective manner and the dates of paddy cultivation in a phased manner were announced soon so that farmers can take benefit from it.
The Chief Minister also said that as the state government had advanced the dates of paddy transplantation in the state so he had urged the Union government to prepone the procurement of paddy by 15 days. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had called the Union Food Minister and urged that now the procurement of paddy must start from September 15 so that the farmers of the state can sell their in a smooth and hassle free manner. He said that this will enable the farmers to bring moisture free grains in the Mandis thereby ensuring their smooth procurement.
The Chief Minister said that he wants to hand over tiffins in the hands of youth by giving them employment so that they shun the syringes and menace of other drugs. He said that as Idle hands are a devil's workshop, the state government is trying its best to ensure that maximum youth get jobs so that they do not fall prey to the social menaces. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that unemployment is the root cause of several social problems due to which the state government is focusing on eradicating this malady and so far around 55,000 government jobs have been provided to the youth.
The Chief Minister said that the drug mafia was patronized by the earlier governments but his government has launched a crusade against drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said meticulous planning has been done to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state and now war against drugs has begun in a full-fledged manner. He said that apart from snapping the supply lines of drugs the state government has put the big fishes involved in this crime behind the bars adding that now the property of the drug peddlers is being seized and destroyed.
Highlighting another major welfare initiative, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. He proudly stated that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state.