Bathinda, Oct. 6 -- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday honoured Asian Games bronze medalist Satnam Singh with a cheque for Rs.50 lakh during the CM's "Lok Milni" programme held at Satnam's native Fatta Maloka village in Mansa district's Sardulgarh assembly segment. Satnam won bronze in the men's double sculls event at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan with teammate Salman Khan. The duo's bronze was India's first-ever men's double sculls medal at the continental games. This was Satnam's second Asiad medal after also winning bronze in the quadruple sculls event at Hangzou, China, in 2023. Lauding Satnam for his achievement, Mann said his government was working to promote the budding sportspersons by providing facilities for various sporting events. He said the "Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan" programme was a flagship programme of the state government to fight back against the prevalent drug menace. In his address, Mann said the opposition parties had come together against him as they were upset with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's popularity. He said the opposition lacked a vision for the state's development and that during their respective political regimes, those parties patronised corruption and drug trafficking. On the other hand, the AAP government, he said, had provided jobs in a transparent manner, rolled out several welfare initiatives like medical insurance, free electricity and financial assistance to women to meet the aspirations of the masses. "The happiness reflected on women's faces whenever financial assistance is deposited in their bank accounts is a testimony to the impact of welfare-oriented governance. As long as the state government is serving the people, the financial assistance meant for women will continue to reach their bank accounts," he said. Criticising the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal, Mann said these parties opposed monthly financial assistance to women. "Those who ruled Punjab for decades should tell the people what they did for the economic empowerment of ordinary women. Today, when women are receiving direct financial assistance, these parties are questioning the scheme," he said. Mann charged the SAD with adopting nepotism and said the Congress leadership was a divided force to push their personal political ambitions. He said his government placed women, farmers, youth and students at the centre of its governance model rather than allowing the benefits of government schemes to remain confined to a few influential sections....