India, Sept. 16 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said canal irrigation had expanded to 80% of the state's fields from 22% before his government took office, and set a target of covering all fields.

Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Jindwari village in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mann said the government had developed a 14,000-km canal-water pipeline network and was working to increase the reach of irrigation water to 100% of fields.

He also highlighted free electricity, merit-based jobs, education, healthcare and road upgrades as key initiatives of his government. Mann said more than 90% of households were receiving free power and claimed that over 70,000 young people had secured government jobs without corruption.

Man...