Chandigarh :
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, addressing the Legislative Assembly during the discussion on the Governor’s Address, outlined the developmental achievements of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and criticized Congress members for staging a walkout, saying their departure reflected an inability to confront the state’s progress.
Cheema highlighted the government’s focus on youth employment, noting that 63,000 government jobs have been provided so far, along with an increase of 20,000 seats in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to strengthen technical education.
On drug eradication, the Minister said previous governments had failed to curb the menace of drugs, while the AAP government has launched an aggressive campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, to tackle the issue.
Cheema also highlighted social justice initiatives, including the introduction of Scheduled Caste reservations in government lawyer recruitment, resulting in 58 appointments from weaker sections, and emphasized improvements in irrigation infrastructure, ensuring canal water for thousands of acres of farmland.
Concluding his address, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises, asserting that the Mann-led administration stands as the only government to successfully deliver on all guarantees pledged to the people of Punjab.
