Our Govt is working to empower women: CM

Amritsar, March 8, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that the state Government will open two brainstorming centres at Amritsar and Mohali for students to share business ideas on pattern of Speakers Platform at Munich in Germany.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the state government has already introduced Business Blasters initiative at school level for idea sharing and Rs 11 crore has been disbursed to the students. He said that the sole motive is to provide platforms for brainstorming to the students so new business ideas can prop up. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on the same pattern the state government is going to set up Brainstorming Centres for new business ideas at Amritsar and SAS Nagar (Mohali).

Extending his best wishes on International Women Say, the Chief Minister quoted gurbani ‘So Kyu Manda Akheyeye Jitt Jame Rajan’ adding that the great Sikh Gurus have kept the women in high esteem. He also expressed concern over the social evil of female foeticide which was still prevalent in the society but needs to be changed. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the girls have excelled in every arena of life and have emerged as role models with their hard work and success.

The Chief Minister said that these girls have made their parents, society and the state proud by achieving success in even those areas which were considered fiefdom of men. Replying to a student’s query about introducing technology in the state, he said that the state government is already integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the State Government has introduced AI in policing, agriculture, finance and other fields to ensure efficiency and transparency. 

The Chief Minister said that with these advancements, the state government aims to rope in experts to the forefront to run the affairs of the state effectively. Encouraging students to embrace the digital era, he said that this is the era of digitalization and Punjab is moving forward with a vision to become a leader in technological innovation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the main Focus of state government is on employment-based education and to develop skills that align with the demands of the modern world. 

The Chief Minister underlined the importance of skill development adding that the education should not be confined just to degrees rather it should be about acquiring skills that make you employable and capable of contributing to society. Describing girls as "creators", Bhagwant Singh Mann hailed them for their invaluable contributions to society adding that Girls are not just achievers; they are creators. He said that God has blessed them with the unique ability to create, nurture and transform the world so it is our bounden duty to ensure they have every opportunity to flourish. 

The Chief Minister said that the state government has made concerted efforts for empowering women in the state. He said that his party has made 11 women as MLAs adding that eight officers have been appointed Deputy Commissioners and three women have been appointed Senior Superintendent of Police. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that One lady has been appointed Commissioner of Police, 19 women have been appointed ADCs and Seven have been appointed Secretaries of various departments.

The Chief Minister further said that required amendments have been made in the rules for changing the physical criteria for recruitment of ladies in Fire Fighting staff. He said that none of the previous governments had bothered to change these rules because they were least bothered a…