Chandigarh, April 16 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday unveiled development projects worth Rs 177 crore in Batala, signalling a major infrastructure push while launching a sharp political attack on previous regimes.
The package includes works worth Rs 95.72 crore by the municipal corporation, Rs 16.05 crore by the Mandi Board, and Rs 65.09 crore for road construction by the Public Works Department, along with additional repair works. Key projects include new bridges, a modern bus stand to ease congestion, and Rs 14.81 crore for new police lines.
Calling the initiative a "decisive break from the past," Mann said people had rejected "decades of misrule" in 2022 and would not allow a return to it. He accused previous governments of weakening laws related to sacrilege (beadbi) cases to shield offenders.
Highlighting legislative action, Mann said the state has passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, providing stricter punishment for such offences. "No one guilty of this unpardonable act will be spared," he asserted.
The Chief Minister also took aim at Opposition parties, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging corruption, patronage of drug networks, and a disconnect from public concerns. He criticised their campaigns as politically motivated and rejected their claims of safeguarding Punjab.
On governance, Mann highlighted key welfare measures, including 300 units of free electricity for households, daytime power supply for farmers, and over 65,000 government jobs for youth. He said the state has also saved Rs 1,462 crore through resumed coal supply from Pachwara mines. MPOST
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.