Fatehgarh Churian: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the state was witnessing a contrast between what he termed “kaam ki rajneeti” and the “family-centric politics” of previous govts.Addressing a ‘Lok Milni’ programme at Ghanie Ke Bangar, Mann said about 90% of Punjab’s households were getting free electricity, families were eligible for healthcare cover of up to Rs 10 lakh and canal water had reached 88% of agricultural land.He said these measures aimed at reducing the financial burden on households and improving public services.“Governance has meaning only when its benefits reach the doorstep of the common man. Our govt is working to reduce the financial burden on families and strengthen essential public services,” Mann said.He said the expansion of canal irrigation was also intended to reduce dependence on groundwater and support agriculture.The CM highlighted financial assistance for women as another component of the govt’s welfare measures.Mann claimed that his govt had done more work in four-and-a-half years than the Congress and Akali Dal govts had done during their combined tenure of 22 years in power.He cited education, healthcare, electricity, irrigation, employment and infrastructure as areas of focus.On education, Mann said the transformation of govt schools had helped Punjab attain the top position in national education assessments. “Govt schools are not merely buildings; they are the future of Punjab’s children,” he said.Taking a dig at previous govts, Mann said Punjab needed politics centred on schools, hospitals, electricity, irrigation, employment and infrastructure rather than “me and my family”.Referring to the 2027 assembly elections, Mann said a public survey conducted during the gathering had drawn an “overwhelming response” in support of his govt. He said people would compare the records of different govts before deciding their political course.During the event, Mann interacted with residents and listened to their concerns regarding local development and public services. He said the issues raised by residents would be referred to the concerned departments for appropriate action.Mann also said Punjab faced challenges, including unemployment, drug abuse and declining groundwater levels, and emphasised that these required sustained policy interventions rather than temporary announcements.
