Chandigarh, March 24 : Highlighting the remarkable achievements of the Punjab government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, while drawing a sharp contrast with the previous administrations led by Congress and Akali-BJP, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday expressed gratitude to Punjab Governor Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria for his insightful speech in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

FM Cheema Highlights AAP’s Achievements in Power

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema began his speech by recalling the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) promise during the 2022 elections to provide free electricity to the people of Punjab. He proudly announced that this promise was fulfilled within three months of the government’s formation, with 90 percent of domestic electricity consumers now receiving zero electricity bills. He also higlighted the government’s historic decision to acquire the private thermal plant at Goindwal Sahib, a project worth Rs 6000 crore, for just Rs 1080 crore, ensuring it be a public asset, a first in Punjab’s history.

Taking a dig at the previous governments led by Congress, Finance Minister Cheema criticized Congress party’s walk-out during the session, attributing it to their inability to confront the current government’s success in clearing the Rs 9000 crore subsidy arrears left by the Congress led state government.

Referring to the Aam Aadmi Party’s promise to bring a health revolution in the state, the Finance Minister highlighted the transformative impact of Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have provided free treatment, tests, and medicines to countless citizens, contrasting this with the Congress-led government’s failure to recruit adequately for healthcare positions. The AAP commits to providing Punjab with good governance through a transparent, accountable, and people-centric administration.

FM Cheema Highlights ₹90,000 Cr Investment, Anti-Gangster Success

In the education sector, Finance Minister Cheema highlighted a 57 percent increase in budget by the AAP led Punjab Government. He lauded initiatives such as the School of Eminence and international teacher training programs, while condemning the Congress government’s plans to close 1207 schools, a decision thwarted by the Aam Aadmi Party. He said that heavily charged private schools educated most of the leaders of the opposition parties. Therefore, they were unaware of the condition of government schools in the state.

Finance Minister Cheema also underscored the government’s success in attracting over Rs 90,000 crore in investments, attributing this to the state’s improved law and order under Chief Minister Mann’s leadership. He credited the Anti-Gangster Task Force for dismantling gangster culture, which he said had flourished under the Congress regime.Cheema said that the Congress party created the gangster culture in the state and brought gangsters from other states to keep them in Punjab jails.

Cheema Highlights Drug Crackdown

On the issue of drug eradication, Finance Minister Cheema detailed the government’s “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign. This initiative has led to 2200 FIRs and 3800 arrests. It also resulted in the demolition of 43 illegally constructed properties of drug dealers, so far. He said that for the first time during the Akali-BJP government, the people of the state heard the name of ‘Chitta’. “After this, Captain Amarinder Singh took an oath to end drugs by holding Gutka Sahib exactly 35 km from Talwandi Sabo. However, later during the Congress regime, this drug business flourished further,” he added.

Finance Minister Cheema highlighted the government’s efforts to provide employment to over 50,000 youth and promote sports through initiatives like ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ and the plan to establish 1000 sports nurseries. He also highlighted the appointment of accomplished sports persons to high-ranking positions to inspire the younger generation.

Cheema Highlights Groundwater Conservation

Stressing on the need to save groundwater to save agriculture, Finance Minister Cheema said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government’s took initiatives to savr groundwater by ensuring canal water supply to the tail end after decades besides ensuring hours of uninterrupted electricity for agriculture . He also mentioned the continuation of electricity subsidies for tubewells.

Finance Minister Cheema also reaffirmed the government’s dedication to honoring the sacrifices of soldiers by providing financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to their families. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to manage the state’s debt, pay off interest, and regularize teacher services, contrasting these achievements with the failures of previous SAD-BJP and Congress led governments.

Akali-BJP, Congress Left Punjab with ₹3 Lakh Crore Debt: Govt

“The previous Akali-BJP and Congress governments have left Punjab with a staggering debt burden of approximately Rs 3 lakh crore. The interest on this debt alone is a whopping Rs 20,000 crore annually, which is a significant drain on the state’s finances. While efforts are being made to repay the principal amount, a substantial portion of the budget is still being allocated towards paying off the interest, putting a strain on the state’s resources”, said the Finance Minister.

Talking about employees issues, the Finance Minister highlighted AAP led state government’s efforts to pay the dues of about Rs 14,500 crore, owed to employees when the Congress government issued the 6th Pay Commission. He stated that the services of the maximum number of teachers have been regularized in Punjab. Non-permanent teachers are now receiving a salary of Rs 25000. This is an increase from Rs 6000 during the Congress party government.

FM Cheema: AAP Achieving Remarkable Progress in Punjab

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema concluded his speech. He mentioned that the Aam Aadmi Party has made remarkable strides in Punjab. This achievement is noteworthy since the party is only 8 years old in the state’s legislative assembly. He said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government consistently drives progress. The administration is advancing development in the state.