Patiala: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said AAP govt would continue its welfare and development initiatives despite opposition pressure and assured women who had not received payments under the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana that they would get the benefit from July after completing the required formalities.Addressing an ‘Ek Sham Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam’ event in Rajpura, Mann said his responsibility was to ensure employment for every household, healthcare for every elderly person and quality education for every child.He said Punjab’s tradition of jointly celebrating religious and cultural festivals should be preserved, citing celebrations of Ram Navami, Gurpurab and Eid as examples of communal harmony.Mann said the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana had been expanded to include Haridwar, Rishikesh, Salasar Dham and Khatu Shyam Ji, besides Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib, with free transport, boarding and lodging.He said around 75 lakh women had started receiving Rs 1,000 a month under Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana from Jul 1, while Scheduled Caste women were entitled to Rs 1,500.Mann alleged opposition parties would discontinue AAP govt welfare schemes if voted to power.Listing govt measures, he said 19 toll plazas had been closed, saving commuters about Rs 70 lakh daily; more than 70,000 govt jobs had been provided transparently; 90% of households were getting free electricity; farmers were receiving daytime power; and about 44,000 km of roads were being constructed.He said Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provided cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh to every resident family, with lakhs already benefiting from the scheme.
