India, Nov. 4 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday handed appointment letters to 801 newly recruited candidates in Mohali, taking the total number of government jobs provided under his government to 71,777. Calling the appointments a Diwali gift, Mann said recruitment was free of cost and strictly on merit, without cash payments or recommendations.

In a post on X, Mann congratulated the recruits and their families and urged them to serve Punjab with honesty and dedication. He said the government aimed to bring employment and prosperity to every household and make the state "Rangla Punjab" again. He also said Punjab ranked first nationally in primary education.

Addressing the gathering, Mann challenged opposition leade...