Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that Punjab continues to emerge as a preferred destination for government jobs, with even youngsters who had moved abroad now returning to the state to secure employment through the transparent and merit-based recruitment policy of his government. While handing over appointment letters to 665 newly recruited candidates in Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the Chief Minister said that the state has created a record by providing 68,268 government jobs in just four-and-a-half years, completely ending the era of cash-for-jobs and recommendations.
The Chief Minister urged Punjabis working abroad to return to their motherland, assuring them that the state government would provide regular employment opportunities and make them active partners in Punjab’s socio-economic progress. He said that the transparent recruitment process adopted by the government has restored the faith of youth in the system and triggered a reverse migration, with many youngsters now choosing to return to Punjab instead of seeking opportunities elsewhere.
Sharing a few snippets from this, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “At the appointment letter distribution ceremony in Bathinda, several major decisions aimed at Punjab’s progress and securing a bright future for its youth were shared. By completely eliminating the corrupt practices of bribery and recommendations followed by previous governments, your government has so far provided 68,288 government jobs to youngsters purely on the basis of merit. Owing to this transparent recruitment policy, even those youth who had moved abroad are now returning to Punjab.
The Chief Minister noted, “Thanks to historic reforms in the education sector, Punjab has today emerged as the number one state in the country in school education. In another major decision aimed at the welfare of government employees, especially women employees, it was announced that after completion of their probation period, they will be posted within a 40-kilometre radius of their homes so that family cohesion and work-life balance can be maintained.”
Hard work, honesty and public service remain the guiding principles of our government. By providing equal opportunities to every deserving youngster, we are rapidly moving towards the creation of a vibrant and prosperous Rangla Punjab,” the post concluded.
Addressing the gathering while handing over appointment letters to the youth, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to the rotten system prevailing during previous regimes, many youngsters had left Punjab and settled abroad, but now reverse migration has started in the state. “Now things have changed. A reflection of this change can be seen from the fact that a girl present here today has got three jobs and is among the successful candidates receiving appointment letters. This is a new era. I urge the youth to call their friends and relatives living abroad and tell them not to search for green pastures in foreign lands but to come back to Punjab and get jobs here,” he added
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the state government has provided around 68,268 government jobs to the youth of Punjab. He said, “The era of cash payments and favouritism has ended in Punjab. Today, youth are getting jobs solely on the basis of merit and eligibility. Government jobs can now be obtained purely on merit and due to the transparent recruitment process adopted by the state government, not even a single appointment has been challenged in court.”
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the newly recruited youth would use their positions to serve the needy and underprivileged sections of society. He said, “The newly recruited youth should ensure maximum welfare of the public so that every section of society benefits from it. These recruitments have been carried out through a completely transparent process and the youth have secured jobs after clearing examinations in tough competition.”
Wishing the newly recruited officers success in life, the Chief Minister urged them to continue dreaming big and working hard to turn those dreams into reality. He said, “You should not feel proud merely because you have secured these jobs. Remain humble and continue working hard for greater success in life. Stay grounded even after attaining these positions and always believe in hard work because it is the sole key to success. You must utilize this platform to achieve greater success in life while also becoming fine human beings.”
The Chief Minister said that the state government has prioritised education and undertaken path-breaking initiatives in the sector to transform the lives of people. “No so-called ‘freebie’ or concession card can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the state. Education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious cycle by improving their standard of living. Therefore, our government is tirelessly making efforts to improve the standard of education and empower the common people,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that due to the strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education. “Our government has upgraded primary and middle-school education, strengthened the system, introduced smart classrooms and provided advanced training to teachers. As a result of these efforts, Punjab is excelling in the school education sector. NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) for Aayog, one of the Government of India’s premier institutions, has released figures showing that Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that for the last four years, the state government has focused on teacher training, modern teaching methods and smart classrooms. “Earlier Kerala held the top position, but now Punjab has claimed the number one rank with a huge margin. More such efforts will be made in the coming time as well. Education is the light that illuminates the world by dispelling darkness and that is why the state government is laying special thrust on it.”
The Chief Minister said that the state government firmly believes that every child deserves access to quality education irrespective of his or her economic background. “Our government is making concerted efforts to give impetus to the education sector. Our initiatives are aimed at ensuring that children from common families get the same opportunities to excel as anyone else. Education is the strongest tool for empowering future generations and building a prosperous Punjab, and our government will leave no stone unturned to strengthen it,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that due to the strenuous efforts of our government, Punjab leads the country in foundational learning, digital infrastructure and school facilities, with the state recording higher scores than Kerala in language and mathematics. He said, “Punjab has achieved 99.9 % electricity facilities in schools, while computer availability stands at 99 %. When I assumed charge of office, Punjab was ranked 27th in school education. Today, Punjab stands at number one.”
Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the tax money of the people belongs to the state and the government is spending it judiciously for the welfare of the people. “People’s money is coming back to the people through development works, schools, hospitals and roads. The state government is working for the people. We have provided free electricity to 90 percent of households, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily and are continuously building infrastructure,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that when the present government assumed office, only 22% canal water was being used for irrigation purposes, but today the figure has risen to more than 80 %.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government has laid 14,000 kilometres of pipes and watercourses across the state to facilitate farmers in every nook and corner of Punjab. “Recharge points have been created in canals and rivers so that the water level can improve. As a result, the water table has increased by two to four metres. This decision has been taken keeping in view the welfare of future generations because Punjab stands for water and without water the state has no existence,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has been launched under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. “Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh under the scheme and more than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards. Lakhs of people have availed free treatment under this scheme and I urge the people to take maximum benefit of these health cards,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of the state, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power has been supplied to agricultural tube wells during the paddy season. Farmers are now receiving electricity during the daytime for irrigation for the first time, which has transformed their lives.”
Talking about the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, the Chief Minister said that the state government is all set to start the scheme from July 1. “Under the scheme, every woman above 18 years of age will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women belonging to the Scheduled Caste category will receive ₹1,500 per month. This is not a political function but a platform for interaction with the masses,” he added.
The Chief Minister pointed out that several governments came and went, but none of them bothered about the welfare of the people. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “These parties played a game of musical chairs and plundered the wealth of the state. The people of Punjab voted for the ‘jhaadu’ (AAP's electoral symbol) and that ultimately resulted in the transformation of schools, hospitals and other sectors.”
Earlier, successful candidates Jia Garg, Amandeep Singh Pannu, Labhdeep Singh, Rabinder Singh Takkhar, Kirti, Pushpinder, Akaljot Singh, Harsh, Sumanpreet Singh, Jatinder Singh, Jugraj Singh, Honey, Nitish and others hailed the Chief Minister for providing jobs purely on the basis of merit. They expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for transforming their destiny through this noble gesture.