Monthly stipend for women to be rolled out in coming budget, says Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that a Rs 1,000 monthly financial assistance scheme for every woman in the state would be rolled out through the coming budget. He made the announcement while addressing a political conference at the Maghi rally after paying homage at Gurdwara Sri Tuti Gandi Sahib to the 40 Muktas. The Chief Minister also reiterated the Punjab Government’s position on the recovery of 169 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, stating that the recovery was a matter of duty rather than an achievement.

Recalling the historical significance of the sacred site, Mann said the land had witnessed the supreme sacrifice of Sikh warriors led by Bhai Maha Singh ji and that the Sikh Sangat was paying tribute to their martyrdom.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government had honoured every commitment made to the people and would now roll out the women’s assistance scheme, with the required budgetary provision to be ensured. “This government is fully committed to the welfare of all, and every promise made to the people of Punjab will be fulfilled,” he said.

On healthcare, Mann said 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics had been opened across Punjab, offering free treatment and medicines. He added that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna would soon be launched to provide cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Chief Minister said the special investigation team probing cases related to missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib had recovered 169 saroops from a religious place near Banga, of which 139 had no official record. Exploiting religion for vested political interests, he said, had deeply hurt the psyche of common people and was an unpardonable act.

Targeting opposition parties, Mann said previous governments suffered from weak memory and were merely waiting for elections to return to power and plunder Punjab. He said the AAP’s broom symbol had cleaned the political system, leaving traditional parties rattled. “They attack me because I come from a common family, something they cannot digest,” he said.

Referring to the turnout at the Maghi rally, Mann said it reflected the love and affection people had for the government and its policies. Taking a dig at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Badal, he remarked that his rally would have ended early due to poor attendance.

On development, the Chief Minister said work on over 49,000 km of roads was progressing at full pace. Reiterating the women’s assistance scheme, he said the promise of Rs 1,000 per month would be fulfilled through the coming budget, just as other commitments had been honoured. He also accused previous regimes of ignoring the sacrilege incidents at Bargari and Behbal Kalan.

Mann said even people brought in buses hired by the Akalis had joined the AAP rally, adding that the opposition was trying to defame the state government out of envy for its pro-people stance. He said more than 10,000 new police personnel were being recruited to strengthen the Punjab Police, public libraries had been opened for students, uninterrupted power was being supplied, and 90 percent of households were receiving free electricity.

Senior AAP leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia, also addressing the gathering, said the steps taken by the Mann government for public welfare had received appreciation across the country. He said the large participation at the rally showed that people were ready to give another chance to the AAP government.

Cabinet ministers Aman Arora, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Dr Balbir Singh, Dr Baljit Kaur, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Lal Chand Kataruchakk and Hardeep Singh Mundian, along with MLAs Baljinder Kaur, Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi and others, were present on the occasion.