Chandigarh: Unfurling the national tricolor, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recalled the state’s unmatched sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle and its continuing role as the country’s food bowl and sword arm.
The Chief Minister said the state has been unjustly denied its rightful capital and a separate High Court since Independence, and made it clear that attempts to undermine the state’s claim over Chandigarh, Panjab University and its water rights would not succeed. He underlined that Punjab would continue to pursue legal and constitutional remedies every day to protect its interests.
Linking governance with heritage and faith, CM Mann recalled the historic commemoration of the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the declaration of Amritsar Sahib, Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo as holy cities, and announced that the 650th Parkash Parv of Guru Ravidas would be celebrated on similar lines through state-level programmes from February 1 this year to February 20, 2027.
Highlighting the direction of governance, the Chief Minister pointed out decisive action against drugs, gangsters and narco-drones under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ and ‘Gangsteraan Te Vaar’, universal healthcare coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh, more than 63,000 government jobs provided without bribes, and a sharp reduction in road accident fatalities through the Sadak Surakhiya Force.
He also expressed concern over changes to MGNREGA affecting Scheduled Caste and landless families, cited record investments of Rs 1.5 lakh crore generating 5.2 lakh jobs, and announced the Punjab Investment Summit from March 13 to 15.
