Chandigarh, Sept. 15 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was focused on the welfare of the people, while the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal were engaged in a struggle for political power.
Addressing a Lok Milni programme at Jindwari village in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mann said canal water had reached 80 per cent of the state's agricultural fields, compared with 26 per cent when his government assumed office. He said the government aimed to take canal irrigation coverage to 100 per cent.
Mann urged Punjabis to stay away from the BJP and Akali Dal, alleging that both parties had worked against the interests of the state. He cited issues including Chandigarh, Panjab University, the Bhakra Beas Management Board, the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, Harike canal and central funds for rural development and border areas.
He said the AAP government had laid a 14,000-km pipeline network to carry canal water to fields, while more than 90 per cent of households were receiving free electricity. The government, he said, had also provided jobs to more than 70,000 youth on merit and was improving education, healthcare, roads and other infrastructure.
The chief minister accused the Akali leadership of patronising drug trade and mafias and alleged that it had failed to protect the interests of Punjab. He also criticised Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, questioning his understanding of the state's basic issues.
Mann said the government was spending taxpayers' money on development and claimed that 45,000 km of roads were being renovated or upgraded. He said 3,100 sports stadiums were being constructed to help divert youth from drugs.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.