Hoshiarpur, Oct 14 Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday dedicated 154 new ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’ to the people, taking the total to 1,244 in the state.
Mann asserted that his government’s priority is to deliver quality healthcare, education and employment rather than indulge in “politics of slogans”.
Addressing a public gathering at village Harkhowal in Chabbewal here, he highlighted over 6.48 crore OPD visits at the Clinics and healthcare coverage worth up to Rs 10 lakh for 54.20 lakh families, while warning that a change of government could put public welfare initiatives, including free bus travel for women and monthly financial assistance, at risk.
Assembly elections in Punjab are scheduled to be held early next year.
Launching a sharp attack on AAP rivals, Mann said that they want to shut down Aam Aadmi Clinics, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for women and free bus travel, as they cannot digest the people-centric initiatives being implemented by his government.
Highlighting that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna covers 54.20 lakh families and nearly 8 lakh beneficiaries have received treatment, he reiterated that his government’s priorities are people’s healthcare, children’s education and youth employment, not slogan-driven politics.
Mann said today, 154 new Aam Aadmi Clinics have been dedicated to the people of Punjab.
With this, the total number of these Clinics in Punjab has reached 1,244.
He alleged that successive governments which ruled Punjab only looted the state.
Hitting out at rival parties, Mann said, “they may resort to any number of malicious tactics to defame us, but as long as I have the love and trust of the people, I have nothing to fear from them”.
“The historic mandate given by the people of Punjab has placed a tremendous responsibility on our shoulders, and we are fulfilling our promises through concrete action. The difference between the previous governments and our government is clear.
“Earlier, power was treated as a means to benefit some families and select individuals, but today, governance revolves around the common people, their aspirations and their welfare. The winds of development are blowing across Punjab, and no conspiracy by the opposition can stop this transformation,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the opposition, he said that parties which had governed Punjab for decades were now struggling with internal divisions, a lack of credible leadership and an inability to present a constructive vision for the state.
Taking a dig at the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mann said, “The Akali Dal once claimed that it would govern Punjab for 25 years, but today it is struggling to maintain its political relevance…”
Criticising the Congress, he said, “Congress leaders are unable to present a united front even on matters concerning Punjab’s future. Those who ruled Punjab for years and failed to fulfil the aspirations of its people are now unable to tolerate the work being done by AAP government.
They are joining hands against us because they have no credible agenda for Punjab, but the people of the state continue to stand firmly with us.” Mann said that the people of Punjab had rejected the politics of corruption, nepotism and personal enrichment and were now demanding accountable governance and tangible results.
“The previous Akali governments failed to protect Punjab’s youth from the drug menace, while the sacrilege incidents inflicted a severe blow on the party’s credibility among the people. The opposition must understand that people have rejected the politics of corruption, nepotism and personal enrichment. I appeal to the people to remain vigilant against attempts to mislead them. The trust and blessings of the people are our greatest political strength,” he said.
Meanwhile, of the 154 more Aam Aadmi Clinics dedicated to the people of Punjab on Wednesday include 36 in Amritsar, 26 in Patiala, 17 in Ludhiana, 12 in Gurdaspur, 11 in Jalandhar and 10 in SAS Nagar (Mohali).
Mann reiterated that the expansion of Aam Aadmi Clinics, free medicines and diagnostic tests, and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna were part of the state government’s broader commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for the people of Punjab.
(PTI News)
