Terming the new and progressive land pooling scheme as pro-farmer and development oriented, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday urged the people of the state to not get swayed away with the misleading propaganda of the opposition on this ambitious scheme.
Addressing the gathering after disbursing the grants worth Rs 31.30 crore to 70 villages of Dhuri assembly segment for development works, the Chief Minister slammed the opposition for hoodwinking the facts to misinform the people about this scheme just for vested political interests. He categorically said that there will be no forcible acquisition of land under the new and progressive Land Pooling scheme of the state and it will immensely benefit the farmers of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people are aware of the dubious character of these leaders who have backstabbed the Punjabis on several issues.
The Chief Minister said that the land pooling is aimed at creating a perennial source of income for the farmers and making them an active partner in growth and progress of the state. He said that no forcible acquisition of land will be done in the state and only those farmers who will agree under the policy will give their land. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as per the policy the farmers will get commercial and residential plots in the scheme.
The Chief Minister said that the commercial property in the planned colonies to be carved out in this land pooling scheme will be a permanent asset for the farmers for their income. He said that the state government’s new Land Pooling Policy is aimed at giving impetus to the overall growth of the state adding that this scheme will benefit every common man by giving a major fillip to the overall development of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured everyone that no land will be forcibly taken and that all development on acquired land will proceed in a legal and transparent manner.
Envisioning that the Yudh Nasehyan Virudh will act as a catalyst to wipe out the blot of drugs from the state, the Chief Minister said that under the campaign the state government has already broken the backbone of the drugs. He said that the big fishes involved in drug trade have already been put behind the bars and people can have their glance in Nabha Jail. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this crackdown against drugs will continue in the coming days too till this menace is completely wiped out from the state.
The Chief Minister said that the public money has been distributed to panchayats for the judicious use to give fillip to the development of the segment. He said that none of the previous governments had ever bothered to release such a huge amount of money for the welfare of the people and holistic development of the villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there is no shortage of funds with the state government to give impetus to the development of the villages.
The Chief Minister said that during earlier regimes the funds were allocated on paper and subsequently the work was also done on paper only. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now all the villages of the Dhuri assembly segment will be developed as model villages. He asked the Panchayats to ensure quality development work in the villages for which regular monitoring by them should be done.
The Chief Minister said that it is the bounden duty of the state government to ensure the well being of the people and give fillip to development of the villages. He said that the previous governments never bothered about making any effort to save the groundwater and the farmers at the tail ends, on this land of five rivers, never got water. Bhagwant Singh Mann said after assuming charge the AAP government has revived 15947 water courses in the state due to which water has reached at the tail ends even in remotest villages.
Likewise, the Chief Minister said that his government has provided free power to households after which 90% of them are getting free power. He said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across the state where more than three crore patients have got free treatment. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has given government jobs to more than 55,000 youth completely on the basis of merit.
The Chief Minister said that till now 18 Toll plazas have been closed in the state adding that with the closing of these toll plazas Rs 64 lakh is being saved from the pocket of the common man in Punjab daily. He said that Punjab has launched the country’s first dedicated Sadak Surakhya Force (Road Safety Force) to enhance highway safety and it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that fatality rate in road accidents has decreased by more than 48% since its launch. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the force has specially recruited and trained personnel, including women, and is equipped with 144 modern vehicles.
The Chief Minister said that the force has been working very effectively adding that several states and even the Government of India have commended this initiative. Highlighting another major welfare initiative, he said that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country will be launched by the state government on October 2 to provide cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann proudly stated that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services.
The Chief Minister said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state adding that more such steps will be taken in the coming times too. He said that the state government has passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025, to give impetus to the rural games particularly Bullock cart Race and others which were held in every nook and corner of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that cattle have been integral parts of the agrarian economy of the state and the Punjabi farmers have since ages nurtured the cattle as their kids.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjabis have always loved games like Bullock cart and one such race of Kila Raipur was acclaimed world over. He said that this bill will be instrumental in further popularizing such games across the state in the coming times without harming the animals. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that special focus will be laid on protecting the animals and any sort of cruelty against them will not be allowed.