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Moga (Punjab), June 30
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced that the state government will lay an additional 7,000 kilometers of pipelines by the end of this year to ensure canal water reaches every farm in the state. Addressing a Lok Milni program in Bhallur village in Moga district, he said the initiative aims to strengthen irrigation and improve water availability for farmers. Mann said the government has already laid 14,000 kilometers of pipelines and watercourses over the past four years, enabling nearly 80 percent of Punjab’s farmland to receive 21,000 cusecs of canal water. He added that water recharge points are also being developed along canals and rivers, leading to groundwater level increases of 2 to 4 meters in several areas.
The Chief Minister alleged that under previous governments, canal water primarily benefited influential people, while his government is committed to ensuring the facility reaches every farmer in the state. Taking a swipe at the opposition, Mann claimed political parties had united against him after their defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections because they were unable to match his government’s performance. He also alleged that previous regimes encouraged corruption, mafia activities and the drug trade.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, Mann said more than 90 percent of households in Punjab are receiving free electricity, while over 68,000 people have secured government jobs without paying bribes or using political influence. He added that the government has constructed 3,100 sports stadiums to encourage youth to stay away from drugs. Referring to welfare initiatives, Mann said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per resident family in the state, with beneficiaries already availing treatment worth more than Rs 650 crore under the scheme.
The Chief Minister also announced that financial assistance under the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna will begin from July 1. Eligible women will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste women will receive Rs 1,500 directly into their bank accounts. Speaking on the government’s anti-drug campaign, Mann said the Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative has helped break drug supply networks and resulted in several arrests. He also claimed that Punjab has emerged as the top-performing state in primary and middle school education due to reforms such as smart classrooms and teacher training.
During the program, Mann announced a grant of Rs 51 lakh for the development of Bhallur village. The Chief Minister said the government will continue investing in irrigation, public welfare and social development programs to improve the lives of people across Punjab.
