Hoshiarpur (Punjab), May 3 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday launched a sharp attack on opposition parties while announcing a series of development initiatives here during a public outreach programme.
Addressing a gathering in an emotional and combative tone, Mann said he had not come to deliver a formal speech but to directly interact with people on issues concerning their daily lives, including household needs, agriculture, education and employment.
Such conversations about food, farming, children’s education, jobs, and concerns of women and the elderly had never been held in this manner earlier, he said at the ‘Lok Milni’ gathering at Ghogra village in Dasuya assembly constituency.
Alleging that successive governments had failed the people, the chief minister said that even after nearly 80 years of Independence, “three generations have been wasted” due to misgovernance.
“Those who ruled earlier never understood that poverty resides in the streets. They spoke their own mind and left, but never listened to the people,” he said, adding that voters eventually “exposed their empty claims” through the ballot.
He further accused opposition parties of “looting the people” and serving only their families and close associates.
Mann said large-scale migration of Punjabi youth abroad was a result of systemic failure under previous regimes, adding that many families were left distressed and divided.
He said several people could not even return home in times of bereavement due to complications related to their stay abroad.
Targeting the opposition over the drug menace, Mann said those responsible for pushing Punjab’s youth into addiction would not be spared.
He alleged that earlier, even enforcement agencies were discouraged from acting against drug traffickers. But now strict action is being taken under the AAP government, he said.
On sacrilege incidents, Mann said previous governments had failed to enact a law, while his government brought a stringent legislation to ensure strict punishment for the guilty.
Announcing key measures for the region, Mann approved the creation of an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) post for Dasuya sub-division, a demand raised by local MLA Karambir Singh Ghuman.
He also announced a grant of Rs 25 lakh for construction of a community hall in village Ghogra, shared progress on the upcoming medical college in Hoshiarpur, and said the second phase of registration for financial assistance to women (Rs 1,000/Rs 1,500 per month) would begin from May 5 in Dasuya.
Highlighting reforms, the chief minister said government schools in Punjab were now delivering quality education and teachers were being sent abroad for training.
He said the aim was to create opportunities within the state so that youth do not feel compelled to migrate overseas. PTI COR SUN SKY SKY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.