BUDGET 2024-25 WILL ACT AS A CATALYST FOR CARVING OUT A PROGRESSIVE, PROSPEROUS AND VIBRANT PUNJAB- SAYS CM

Chandigarh: Terming that budget is not merely a booklet but it is a sacred document, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday envisioned that the Budget 2024-25 will act as a catalyst for carving out a progressive, prosperous and vibrant Punjab.

Taking part in discussions on Budget 2024-25 at the floor of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that the budget presented on Tuesday was the best ever budget of the state. He said that in healthy democracy the suggestions and ideas of the elected representatives are always welcomed but undue criticism just to attract the attention of the media is unfortunate. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the budget is not only a booklet but it reflects the commitment of the state government about the welfare of the people and growth of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that it is not a compilation of facts and figures but it is the roadmap of progress and prosperity of the state. He said that people must come and join healthy politics adding that youth has to play an important role in transformation of the Indian polity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the credit of transforming the politics and bringing common man on the agenda of the political parties goes to Arvind Kejriwal.

The Chief Minister said that instead of Sankalp Pattars or election manifestos, the political parties are now giving guarantees of welfare to the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had always been a votary of making the manifesto of any party into a legal document so that political parties may not dupe the common man. He said that people had been misled repeatedly by showing them ache din or that I am chowkidar and now saying my parijan (family) adding that similarly anti-defection law has been misused to favor the party in power at centre.

The Chief Minister said that instead of Sankalp Pattar the Union government led by PM Narendra Modi has copied the vision of Arvind Kejriwal by introducing a guarantee. He said that Arvind Kejriwal had brought a paradigm shift in politics by introducing value based politics by rejecting divisive politics. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the budget is reflective of the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of people.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has given more than 40,000 jobs to the youth of the state in various departments to empower the youth adding he urged the Speaker to provide the detailed facts about it to opposition. Likewise, he said that 2487 youth will be given government jobs on Thursday during a function at Sangrur. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the opposition is unnecessary making hue and cry over the issue as they had never given government jobs to youth.

The Chief Minister said that they know well how to give free power, free education, free health services to people but the opposition has only mastered the art of running away from core issues. He said that the opposition particularly Congress is habitual of acting irresponsibly and just staging walk outs just to hog media limelight. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Congress often says that many MLAs of AAP are in touch with them whereas it is a fact that they are not in touch with each other.

The Chief Minister said that people are noting this irresponsible behavior of the Congress leaders and the day is not far when they will be ousted very soon. He said that due to the pro-people budget of the state now functions of happiness are taking place in every nook and corner of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that earlier due to the negative approach of the state government youth was forced to shift abroad in search of green pastures but now with every passing day happiness is being celebrated in every function to give job letters, open new hospitals and schools besides others.

The Chief Minister said that due strenuous efforts of the state government excise collection has enhanced, GST has witnessed massive increase adding that the state government is deliberating with traders for their welfare. He said that this is contrary to the Union government where central agencies are being used to arm twist the people, especially with different thoughts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Bharat Ratna DR BR Ambedkar was chief architect of Indian constitution but now the Union government is flouting all the constitutional values thereby undermining this sacred document thereby inflicting grave disrespect to Baba Sahib.

The Chief Minister said that this is dangerous trend in the country which is not a good sign for democracy. He said that the need of hour is to save the democracy of the country for which they are making concerted efforts and no stone will be left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had promised that the government will not run from Chandigarh but from villages due to which Sarkaar Aaapke Dwaar Scheme has been launched.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme has been launched to enable the people to pay obeisance at the various pilgrims sites. He said that as a mark of respect to the brave hearts who lay down their lives while safeguarding the borders, the state government is giving financial assistance worth Rs 1 crore to the soldiers who attain martyrdom during the call of duty. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making concerted efforts to give impetus to the tourism industry in Punjab by showcasing the natural resources of Punjab to the world.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has introduced various out of the box ideas to benefit the common man. He said that the state government had scripted a new success story by purchasing Goindwal power plant earlier owned by a private company GVK Power Power at a cost of Rs 1080 crore. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the exchequer of the state was never empty but the political leaders lacked the intention to ensure the well being of the common man due to which they didn’t make any effort for welfare of people.

The Chief Minister said that the opposition leaders are a new variant of unemployed people who have been ousted by the people because of their non performance. He said that these leaders are envious of him because he hails from a common family adding that these leaders had always believed that they have divine right to rule the state due to which they are not able to digest that a common man is running the state efficiently. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders have befooled the people for a long time but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda.

The Chief Minister said that in the last year the state government has made stupendous efforts for the welfare of the state and through this budget more such endeavors will be made. He said that though the previous regimes had ruined the state but as humble servants of the people the state government and every MLA is dedicated for the welfare of the masses. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that like this budget the next one will be more fantastic as no tax will be levied but more facilities will be given to people.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is solidly with the farmers of the state and massive efforts are being made to ensure their welfare. He said that for the first time a whopping amount has been proposed in the budget for the education sector as the state government is committed to empower the common man through the budget. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this effort will go a long way in ensuring the prosperity of the masses by promotion of education adding that this will go a long way in transforming the destiny of the people.