Leaders of opposition parties run away from ‘Main Punjab Bolda Haan’ debate 

Ludhiana, November 1, 2023: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that in dearth of any tangible issue against him and his government the leaders of opposition parties had run away from the ‘Main Punjab Bolda Haan’ debate held today to discuss the issues confronted by the state.

“These leaders were not able to find even a single thing against me or my government during ‘preparatory holidays’ of last 25 days due to which they were not able to muster courage to face me on issues concerning Punjab” said the Chief Minister during his address at ‘Main Punjab Bolda Haan’ debate.

The Chief Minister categorically said that if these leaders have been ousted by the people that doesn’t absolve them of all the crimes against the state. He said that whenever these leaders come to people they must ask them why they had run away from this debate on Punjab issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that since these leaders had enjoyed the fruits of power for a long time in the state so they are answerable to the people of state.

The Chief Minister said that these leaders were invited to the debate so that every one of them can present their aspect on the platform. However, he said that instead of coming here these leaders had preferred to run away by citing frivolous reasons. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that but he won’t allow these people to escape and their every misdeed will be exposed before the people of the state.

The Chief Minister assailed these leaders for indulging in theatricals to mislead the people of the state. He said that it is a well known fact that the ancestors of these leaders have sown thorns before the Punjab and its younger generations by indulging in this unpardonable crime of constructing the SYL. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for the sake of their vested interests these selfish political leaders had agreed, planned and executed the construction of this canal.

The Chief Minister said that everyone knows that former Union Minister Balram Jakhar (father of Sunil Jakhar) along with Captain Amarinder Singh accompanied the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of SYL at Kapuri. Similarly, he said that former Chief Minister of Haryana Chaudhary Devi Lal had hailed his then counterpart in Punjab Parkash Singh Badal for allowing the survey of this canal. Bhagwant Singh Mann the hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against the state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that the debate will go down in annals of Punjab history as a historic document regarding who and how Punjab has been looted till now, nepotism (bhai-bhatija, saala-jeeja), favouritism, toll plazas, youth, agriculture, trade-shopkeepers, sacrilege, river waters and others. He said that the leaders of traditional political parties have deceived Punjab on all these issues for which they are answerable to the people of state. Bhagwant Singh Mann unequivocally said that the hands of these leaders are drenched with this crime against the state and history will never forgive them for backstabbing Punjab.

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CONGRESS LEADERS SHAMELESSLY SANG PAEANS IN FAVOUR OF SYL THROUGH WHITE PAPER IN PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA: CM
Ludhiana: The Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today said that the Congress leaders shamelessly sang paeans in favour of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal through white paper brought on the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha in early 1980s.

Addressing the gathering during the ‘Main Punjab Bolda Haan’ debate organised here today, the Chief Minister said that SYL is a saga of treachery, betrayal and sin against Punjab and Punjabis by its own leadership. He said that while a single act “Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956” is applicable throughout India for resolving water disputes among States but, Punjab is the only State where a separate arrangement has been made for the distribution of water between Punjab & Haryana, in the “Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966”. Hence, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Union Government has always discriminated against Punjab but the leaders of Punjab brought white paper to justify this treacherous move which is shameful.

The Chief Minister further said that as per the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, all the assets were divided between Punjab and Haryana in the ratio of 60:40 but the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi vide a notification dated March 24, 1976, divided the Ravi-Beas waters between Punjab & Haryana in the ratio of 50:50 in a forcible manner, which was against the interests of Punjab. He said that the then Chief Minister of state Giani Zail Singh ignored the interests of Punjab and acted as a puppet of the Union Government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that not only this, but on November 16, 1976 he also received a cheque of Rs. 1 crore and accelerated the construction of SYL.

The Chief Minister further said that after assuming the charge of state in 1977 Parkash Singh Badal didn’t even once stop the work of giving water to Haryana through SYL. Rather, he said that Badal vide letter no. 23617 Dated July 04, 1978 demanded another Rs. 3 crore for the construction of SYL adding that on March 31, 1979, the then Akali Dal Government received Rs. 1.5 crore from the Government of Haryana for constructing SYL canal.

The Chief Minister said that Badal acquired the requisite land for constructing SYL Canal, in a very short period by imposing emergency clauses. He said that the complicity of Akali Dal with the Government of Haryana is also clear from the fact that in the Vidhan Sabha session (Held from March 1, 1978 to March 7, 1978), the then Chief Minister of Haryana Chaudhary Devi Lal said that “Due to my personal relation with Badal, Punjab Government has acquired the land under Section 4 and Section 17 (emergency clause) for SYL canal and Punjab Government is trying its best for this work.” Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this reflected the connivance of these leaders to deprive the state of its waters.

The Chief Minister said that the story doesn’t ends here as in 1998 when Parkash Singh Badal again became the Chief Minister, he raised the height of banks of Bhakra Main Line Canal by average one feet with the intention of giving more water to Haryana and took Rs. 45 crore too from Haryana for this purpose. He said that Badal did this sin only for the sake of constructing ‘Balasar canal’ which was constructed till his farm house by Haryana as reward for his treachery with the state. So, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in this way, the Badal gave water to Haryana for its own interests and Haryana rewarded him by constructing a canal to their farm.

The Chief Minister said that it is evident from this, that the then Akali Government was betraying the interests of the people of Punjab as personal interests were preferred over those of the public. He said that agreement of December 31, 1981 pertaining to the division of waters was signed between Chief Minister Darbara Singh, Chief Minister Haryana and Chief Minister Rajasthan in the presence of Mrs Indira Gandhi as the Congress party was in power in the Centre as well as the three states. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the then Chief Minister of the Congress ignored the interests of Punjab, to follow unjustified dictat of the Union Government.

The Chief Minister said that as per this agreement, the 75 percent water of Ravi-Beas was given to the non-riparian states i.e. Haryana and Rajasthan adding that despite stiff opposition by the farmers Mrs Indira Gandhi and Captain Amarinder Singh performed the groundbreaking ceremony of SYL in presence of Chaudhary Balram Jakhar with fanfare on April 08, 1982. He said that even during the President’s Rule, the Shiromani Akali Dal signed the Rajiv-Longowal accord between Mr Rajiv Gandhi and Akali leader Sant Harchand Singh Longowal on July 24, 1985. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this also played an important role in furthering the construction of SYL Canal.

The Chief Minister said that through the act the Akali Dal ensured that Punjab doesn’t get its right over river waters in future. He said that former Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala not only ensured the pending construction of SYL during his tenure (1985 to 1987) but made sure that the majority of the canal’s construction work was completed during this period. Hence, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that credit of commencing SYL project, acquiring the land and beginning this project goes to Parkash Singh Badal whereas other Akali Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala got the construction work of the canal completed.

The Chief Minister said that in 2007, Parkash Singh Badal announced that the Section 5 of the act of 2004 would be done away with once the Akali Government comes to power but despite being in power for a decade the Badal Government didn’t take any action regarding this. He said that on the SYL issue, three adverse decisions were made in the year 2002, 2004 and 2016 against Punjab in the Supreme Court. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that out of these, two came during the tenure of Shiromani Akali Dal Government but they didn’t pursue these decisions in an appropriate manner despite spending a lot of money on lawyers.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state has no spare water to share with any other state so instead of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the project should be now conceived as Yamuna Satluj Link (YSL). He said that Satluj river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of water from it. Rather, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that water from Ganga and Yamuna should be supplied to Punjab through Satluj river adding that he has raised this issue with the Union government too.

The Chief Minister said that the state Government has emphatically presented the issue of the less availability of water and it has been recorded too in the decision of the Apex Court. He said that from the previous 30 years, the Akali Dal is playing with the sentiments of the people of Punjab adding that now also they are misleading the people on the issue. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that advocates of the state government have never mentioned anywhere that the canal can be completed.

CM SHOWCASES SECTOR WISE ACHIEVEMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT IN VARIOUS FIELDS
Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the state government has taken several pro-people and development oriented decisions in its tenure of 18 months.

Addressing the gathering during ‘Main Punjab Boldaan Hann’ debate, the Chief Minister said that ever since assuming charge of office the state government have taken path breaking initiatives for the well being of every section of society adding that 18 months of Aam Aadmi government has overshadowed the ‘so called achievements’ of previous governments. He said that the state government has ushered a new era of unprecedented development and progress in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government Punjab today leads the country in every arena.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several decisions with financial prudence due to which the state's own tax revenue has enhanced by 13.2% as compared to 8% during Akali regime in 2012-17 and 6.1% during Congress regime from 2017-22. Likewise, he said that VAT/ GST collection has also sought upward revision of 16.6%, state excise has increased by 37%, stamp and registration by 27.8% and tax on vehicles by 13.3%. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has checked pilferages in the taxes besides checking corruption due to which income of state government has enhanced.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has Restored 1400 KMs of canals that were abandoned by the successive state governments from many years. He said that the incomplete canals are being constructed to the required length adding that the state government has restored 13,471 water channels (Khals) within a year out of over 15000 water channels were abandoned from 20 to 30 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that contrary to the earlier policy, now those water channels are being repaired, which were not repaired even after 25 years after the construction.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that three times more work of repair of canals and water channels is being executed under MGNREGA in the year 2023-24 (Rs. 228 crore) in comparison to the year 2020-21 (Rs. 77 crore). He said that usage of Canal water has increased over 38% during this year as compared to last year adding that over 5000 cases have been disposed off in a year, which were pending for several years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has transformed over 40 non-perennial canals into perennial.

THE Chief Minister further said that Malwa Canal and Canals in Pathankot district are being constructed and Rivers/Rivulets/Drains/Minors are being notified for the first time, that will enable the government to identify the same and remove encroachments. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has waived off 10% share being levied on farmers for repairing of water courses.

The Chief Minister said that the Kandi canal project, which was pending for 16 years, has been restored up to 90% and the canal was run at over 90% capacity for the first time. He said that a new Act for water resources is being enacted to replace over the 150-year-old Act, which will simplify the process, reduce litigation, improve public participation and enable implementation of projects expeditiously. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has resolved the long pending issues to complete the project hanging for 20 years and construction of the dam will be completed by December 2023.

Talking about the financial situation of the state, the Chief Minister said that the state government has paid off debts of Institutions like PUNSUP, PMIDC/PFC, Land Mortgage Bank, Punjab Mandi Board, Punjab Sugarfed and others. He said the state government has waived off the domestic consumer bills worth Rs 1298 crores in FY 2022-23. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has paid the pending arrears of central share of Rs.1750 crores for centrally sponsored schemes.

The Chief Minister said that while the previous government had given 56,623 jobs to youth during their tenure of five years from April 1 2017 to March 17, 2022, his government has given jobs to 37,100 youth merely in 18 months. He said that on an average the state government has given jobs to 23,432 youth in one year, which is a record in itself. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that all the jobs have been given completely on the basis of merit by adopting a complete transparent process. 

The Chief Minister further said that in a historic initiative the state government has changed the times of government offices to 7:30 am to 2 pm during summers. He said that it proved beneficial for the state government as Peak demand of power was reduced by 250 MW, thereby power demand was managed more appropriately adding that common people used to avail services from government offices by noon, and were free to do their routine work later in the day. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with this step, the traffic became staggered and it became easier for the public to commute adding that several other states had desired to replicate the same model in their states.

The Chief Minister said that in a historic initiative the services of Ad hoc, contract, daily-wage, work-charged and temporary employees who have completed 10 years of service are being regularized . He said that earlier, these employees were on path of agitation and used to climb atop the water tanks and bear the brunt of water cannons but due to this initiative of government, so far services of 12,351 teachers have been regularized and their salaries have been increased by an average of two to three times. Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that services of about 9,000 more employees will be regularized by the end of this year.

The Chief Minister further said that the state government is committed to make Punjab a frontrunner state in industrial sectors. He said that due to concerted efforts of the state government investments worth Rs 57,796 crore has been firmed up in the state which will provide 2.98 lakh jobs to youth. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that while his government has roped in investment worth Rs 57,796 crore in merely 18 months, the Akali government during 2012-2017 had brought investment worth Rs 32,995 crore whereas during the Congress regime in 2017-2022 investment worth Rs 1,17, 048 crore was firmed up.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab tops North India in registration of 2.98 lakh MSMEs during the year 2022-2023. He said that Punjab is the first state of the country to start the initiative of colour coded stamp papers to facilitate the industrialists. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now pre-approvals are being given by key departments through a single window system within the stipulated time frame.

The Chief Minister said that to seek the suggestions of the industrialists WhatsApp helpline launched in July 2023 in which more than 1600 suggestions were received. He said that as per feedback from industrialists necessary amendments were made in the government policy to facilitate them. Bhagwant Singh Mann personal interactions were held with 70 industrial associations and 1500 industrialists at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Mohali adding that Industrial Advisory Commission for 26 major industrial sectors has been constituted which is headed by cabinet-ranked persons.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab has become the first state in the country where no  power cut is imposed in the domestic, commercial and industrial sector. Likewise, he said that uninterrupted supply upto 10 hours per day hhave been ensured to the farmers during paddy season. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 90% consumers in the state are getting zero power bill due to pro-people decisions of the state government.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is clearing the outstanding power subsidy in the state which was Rs 2342 crore in Akali regime and Rs 9020 in Congress regime. He said that due to concerted efforts of the state government supply of coal has been resumed from Pachhwara Coal Mine which was stalled from March 2015. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no imported coal was used during 2023 and Rs 600 crore rupees per year has been saved with the commissioning of Pachhwara coal mine.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has set up 664 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state out of which 236 have been established in urban areas and 428 in rural areas adding that now Sehatmand Punjab Mission worth Rs 550 crore has been launched in state to give a facelift to health sector. He said that 80 types of medicines and 38 diagnostic tests are being provided free of charge to the patients in these clinics. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that over 65 lakh patients availed free healthcare services worth Rs 130 crore at these clinics and medicines worth Rs 350 crores have been provided free of charge adding that over 11 lakh diagnostic tests worth Rs 25 crore have been done free of cost.

The Chief Minister further said that during the first year of the School of Eminence, 8358 students have been enrolled and an amount of Rs 200 crores has been earmarked for developing school infrastructure and sports facilities, besides, providing free uniforms to students. He said that an exposure visit of School of Eminence students was organized to ensure that they see the launching of Chandrayaan-3, PSLV and Aditya L1 mission. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that special facilities are being provided by the Punjab government in all the government schools at a cost of Rs 488 crore.

The Chief Minister said that from April 2022, 9518 teachers were recruited in the School Education Department whereas the total number of teachers recruited during the last five years (2017-22) was only 19174. He said that under the Policy for Welfare of Adhoc, Contractual, Temporary Teachers (Nation Builders) and other Employees in School Education 2022, services of 12316 contract-based teachers were regularized. Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that during the last five years (2017-22), the total number of regularised teachers/staff was only 8675.

The Chief Minister further said that to check the fatality rate due to road accidents in the state on one hand and to streamline the movement of traffic on the roads of the state on the other, the state government has launched Sadak Surakhya Force. He said that the first of its kind specialized force will act as a pivotal to save several precious lives that are lost in road accidents daily in Punjab adding that this force will be entrusted with the task of checking rash driving, streamlining vehicular movement on roads and others to check the road accidents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that initially 144 vehicles equipped with ultra modern gadgets will be deployed after every 30 kilometres to man the roads adding that these vehicles will also have a complete medical kit for providing emergency treatment to any person in need.

The Chief Minister said that setting a benchmark, Punjab Police has caught 2149 big fish in its crusade against drugs and assets of drug smugglers worth Rs 74 crore have been forfeited so far. He further said that in 146 cases, the process regarding confiscation of properties of smugglers worth Rs 73 crore is in progress. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a campaign named ‘HOPE INITIATIVE’ has been launched at Sri Amritsar to sensitise youth against drugs in which Over 40,000 students took a pledge against drugs at Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The Chief Minister said that during the previous governments, the Police recruitment was done once in 2011, 2016 and 2021, due to which the youth was disillusioned. However, he said that now recruitment will be done every year adding that 1800 constables and 300 sub-inspectors will be recruited every year. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this has come as a ray of hope among youth, who are now working hard to get this prestigious Police job.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has formulated the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) for checking the menace of organized crime in Punjab. He said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab is today the best performing state in terms of law and order. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the ex-gratia grant has been increased to Rs 1 crore in case of death on line of duty of a cop adding that apart from this, Rs 1 crore is paid by the HDFC bank.

The Chief Minister said that in order to keep the youth away from drugs and encourage them to participate in sports, the Punjab government launched "Khedan Watan Punjab Dia" in 2022. He said that for the first time, block, district, and state level competitions of all recognized sports were organised by the Punjab government and 3.50 lakh players participated in these games. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the second edition of these games 4.50 lakh players are vying for prize money worth Rs 7.50 crore.

The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has laid major thrust on the promotion of games in the state. He said that for the first time the state government has given funds to the players for the preparation of games so that they excel in sporting events. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the result of this is that Punjabis have bagged 19 medals in the recently concluded Asian games, which is the highest tally of states in Asiad, since its inception.

The Chief Minister further said that the Punjab Government has increased the ex-gratia grant for the next of kin of martyred soldiers from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 crore, effective from March 16, 2022. He said that the state government took feedback and suggestions of farmers during the formulation of the agricultural policy. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to boost basmati exports, 10 pesticides were banned and a special drive along with surprise raids were conducted at manufacturers/dealers of fertilizers, seeds and medicines to examine their qualities.

The Chief Minister said that the previous governments had discontinued the government Volvo buses to IGI Airport whereas his Government restarted the Volvo Bus Service to Delhi Airport on June 15, 2022 and currently as many as 19 buses are plying. He said that the state government has also discontinued the erroneously extended nearly 138 bus permits. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that AC buses have been started from Chandigarh to district headquarters to and fro.

INTELLECTUALS, LITTERATEURS AND INDUSTRIALISTS HAILS MAIN PUNJAB BOLDA HAAN DEBATE 
Ludhiana: Intellectuals, litterateurs, industrialists, and other stakeholders in Punjab have collectively described the debate under the 'Main Punjab Bolda Han' banner as a significant initiative for addressing the SYL canal issue and fostering a new era of meaningful discussions on key issues pertaining to Punjab. 

Witnessing the debate on Wednesday, lyricist Babu Singh Mann said that this initiative has managed to break the ice on serious debate including crucial SYL issue and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has unveiled the venal and vested agendas of previous leaders that plagued Punjab for so long.

Likewise, Punjabi writer Shamsher Singh Sandhu said that listening to Bhagwant Singh Mann, it seemed as if the land of Punjab was expressing its pain. He emphasized that this debate marks a meaningful beginning, shedding light on crucial aspects of this long-standing issue for the public.

Former President of Punjabi Sahitya Akademi Ludhiana, Prof. Ravinder Bhattal, stated that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has gingerly presented the facts about the double-faced approach of political leaders and made people aware about this long pending sensitive issue. 

Similarly, renowned industrialist and President of Ramgarhia Educational Institutions in Ludhiana, Ranjodh Singh said that Punjab's first position in the registration of medium and small industries is a remarkable achievement for the state, for which the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann deserves to be appreciated.

Chairman of Punjabi Lok Virasat Academy Ludhiana, Prof. Gurbhajan Singh Gill, described it as a positive start for dialogue on the occasion of Punjabi Suba Diwas. He urged opposition to play a supportive role rather than avoiding it to fulfil aim of these kinds of initiatives for the betterment of Punjab.

National Award-winning teacher and renowned poet Dr. Gurcharan Kaur Kochhar said that the discussions regarding Punjab's water issues have widen their perspective a out this issue. Many aspects that were previously unknown to the common people have come to light.

After conclusion of the debate, noted writer and retired Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Toor suggested that opposition parties should come together to find comprehensive solutions to all of Punjab's issues. He viewed this as a meaningful step in the right direction to break the long-standing deadlock.

Meanwhile, singer Dr. Sukhnain and actor Bal Mukund Sharma commended Bhagwant Singh Mann for demonstrating the importance of speaking the truth with integrity and said that the Chief Minister has exposed the treason committed by political leaders against Punjab, bringing several significant issues into the public sphere.