Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday mounted a sharp attack on the Union government, accusing it of illegitimately halting funds meant for the states and thereby burdening state governments with avoidable financial stress. Describing the move as unjustified and contrary to the constitutional ethos, Mann said such actions strike at the very foundation of cooperative federalism in the country.
The Chief Minister asserted that withholding legitimate financial dues from states was neither acceptable nor sustainable in a democratic setup. He said Punjab would firmly oppose what he termed “step-motherly treatment” by the Centre and would continue to safeguard the interests of the state and its people. Mann maintained that states cannot be expected to shoulder developmental responsibilities when their rightful financial resources are arbitrarily blocked.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to public welfare, Mann announced that the Punjab government would soon roll out the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, a flagship healthcare scheme aimed at transforming access to quality medical services in the state. Under the scheme, around 65 lakh families will be entitled to cashless medical treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family. The benefit will be available across both government and empanelled private hospitals in Punjab, significantly expanding the scope of affordable healthcare.
The Chief Minister said the proposed health scheme would remove financial barriers that prevent ordinary citizens from seeking timely and quality treatment. He described healthcare as a fundamental right and emphasised that no family should be pushed into poverty due to medical expenses. According to Mann, the scheme reflects the government’s resolve to build a robust, inclusive and people-centric healthcare system.
Looking ahead, Mann said the upcoming budget session would witness the introduction of several more welfare-oriented initiatives. He underlined that the Punjab government remains fully committed to the upliftment of every section of society and would ensure that development reaches the grassroots. “Our policies are guided by the needs of the common people, and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure their well-being,” he said.
Turning his attention to political rivals, the Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal, accusing it of misleading the public through slanderous campaigns allegedly driven by the misuse of artificial intelligence. Mann said that instead of engaging with real issues affecting people, the Akali Dal had become overly focused on propaganda, losing touch with ground realities.
He claimed that the party’s political decline was evident, with its presence shrinking to a handful of seats in limited pockets of the state. In contrast, Mann said, the Aam Aadmi Party was steadily expanding its footprint across the country due to its governance model and development-focused agenda.
Highlighting AAP’s growing acceptance, the Chief Minister asserted that the party had earned the trust of diverse sections of society through transparent, people-friendly policies. He concluded by saying that the contrast between constructive governance and negative campaigning was becoming increasingly clear to the electorate, both in Punjab and beyond.
