Sangrur: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday accused the BJP of using central investigative agencies against him for defending the state’s rights. He also alleged that opposition parties wanted to capture power to exploit Punjab’s resources.




Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Ballaran in Sangrur district , Mann said honesty and public service guided his politics. “My stake is not in buses, sand or contracts, but in the joys and sorrows of three crore Punjabis,” he said.




Mann said his govt had provided more than 70,680 jobs without bribes or political recommendations, adding that recruitment was based on merit.




He announced development grants of Rs 35 lakh for Ballaran and Rs 25 lakh for neighbouring Lehal Khurd, assuring residents that projects would not be allowed to stall.




Highlighting welfare measures, Mann said more than 90% of Punjab households received free electricity and farmers were supplied power during the day. The closure of toll plazas was saving commuters around Rs 70 lakh daily, he added.




Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna , families were entitled to cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh annually. Mann said payments under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna had begun, with eligible women aged 18 and above set to receive Rs 1,000 a month and Scheduled Caste women Rs 1,500 through direct bank transfers from July 1. Women receiving social security pensions would also qualify. He said nearly 97% of women in Punjab were expected to benefit, with Rs 9,300 crore allocated for the scheme.




On education, Mann said the number of govt school students clearing NEET had risen from 80 in 2021 to 882 in 2026, citing teacher training and Schools of Eminence among the initiatives to improve education.




He said canal water had reached fields in 1,587 villages that previously lacked access. The govt had spent Rs 7,200 crore on expanding canal irrigation, increasing the irrigated area from 26% to more than 80%. Around 60.3 lakh acres now received canal water, compared with 20.89 lakh acres in 2022.




Mann added that around 45,000 km of roads were being renovated and upgraded, while 3,100 sports stadiums were being developed to improve facilities for young people and encourage them to stay away from drugs.