Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, while addressing a gathering at Shehna in Barnala on Saturday, made a scathing attack on previous governments for allegedly shielding those responsible for sacrilegious acts. Asserting his government’s firm stand on upholding religious respect and law and order, Mann said the newly introduced Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025 in the Vidhan Sabha would ensure stringent punishment against those who commit sacrilege. He emphasized that such crimes have deeply wounded the collective conscience of Punjabis and demanded exemplary legal action to prevent their recurrence in the future.
Calling sacrilege an issue that transcends politics and religion, Mann said the legislation represents the will of the people and the responsibility of the state towards upholding faith and dignity. He added that the bill, introduced this Monday, was not just a legal document but a reflection of the pain and aspirations of millions of citizens who seek justice and respect for their beliefs.
Referring to his administration’s achievements in the fight against drugs, CM Mann said that the “Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh” or War Against Drugs has yielded remarkable results. Once considered untouchable, many high-profile drug lords are now behind bars in Nabha jail. These arrests, he asserted, have exposed the double standards of traditional political parties who had, for years, turned a blind eye to the drug crisis in Punjab. He accused them of being complicit and benefiting from the drug trade while the youth of Punjab were destroyed.
Mann emphasized that his government adopted a comprehensive strategy to counter the drug menace. From breaking the backbone of the drug supply chain to rehabilitating addicts and confiscating illegally acquired property, the crackdown has been both strategic and effective. In a significant first, properties belonging to major drug traffickers are being confiscated or demolished, sending a strong message across the state. Village panchayats, he added, have voluntarily passed resolutions to declare their areas drug-free — a grassroots-level validation of the people’s commitment to the movement.
In the field of agriculture, the Chief Minister proudly stated that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, paddy transplantation was being done without reliance on tubewells, thanks to the efficient use of canal water. His government, he said, has successfully revived nearly 15,947 water channels, ensuring irrigation water now reaches even the remotest tail-end villages. When his tenure began, only 21% of canal water was utilized for irrigation. Today, that figure has risen to 63%, reflecting a transformation in Punjab’s water management. Moreover, he underlined that his government has safeguarded Punjab’s water rights from being diverted to other states — a major step in preserving the state’s ecological and agricultural balance.
Speaking about public safety, Mann introduced the country’s first dedicated Road Safety Force, known as Sadak Surakhya Force, which is operational across highways in Punjab. The force includes 1,597 specially trained personnel, including women, and is equipped with 144 modern vehicles. Since its inception in February last year, there has been a 48.10% reduction in road fatalities, a success story that has been recognized by several Indian states and even the central government.
On the healthcare front, the Chief Minister highlighted the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, an ambitious welfare scheme that provides every family in Punjab with cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh per year. Mann proudly noted that Punjab is the first state in India to offer such extensive health insurance coverage, which not only protects lives but also shields families from catastrophic financial burden due to medical expenses.
He also shed light on employment generation, revealing that his government has provided over 55,000 government jobs within just 36 months. The recruitment process, he claimed, has been completely transparent and based on merit, thus restoring faith among Punjab’s youth in the state’s governance systems. The assurance of fairness and opportunity has motivated many young people to stay in Punjab and contribute to its progress rather than seeking uncertain futures abroad.
Concluding his speech, Mann reaffirmed that his government remains committed to building a progressive, just, and secure Punjab. He was accompanied on the occasion by Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and other dignitaries, who echoed the CM’s sentiment of reform, inclusivity, and development.
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