In a display of commitment to his electoral promises, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday held a public durbar in Jalandhar, directly addressing and resolving the grievances of residents. The initiative, part of the ‘Doabe Ch Sarkar Tuhaade Dwaar’ scheme, reflected Mann's pledge to be accessible and responsive to the needs of the people.

The durbar was held at the Chief Minister's Jalandhar residence, where Mann was joined by officials from various departments. The event aimed to provide immediate solutions to the issues faced by residents, ranging from administrative hurdles to police and other departmental concerns. Mann personally met with individuals, listening to their complaints and ensuring prompt action to address their issues.

Mann, who has promised to spend two days a week in Jalandhar, began his visit by addressing a gathering of party leaders, lawmakers, and volunteers at a local hotel. He thanked them for their role in the party’s recent by-election victory in Jalandhar West. He emphasized that their efforts had significantly contributed to the party's success and pledged that they would be entrusted with more responsibilities within the organization and government.

During the public durbar, Mann expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and the opportunity to interact directly with the citizens. “As promised by me that I will personally sit here for two days, I have come here to solve the grievances of people. Every person coming here is being attended to and his problem is being disposed of through a robust mechanism. I am elated to learn that people from other districts are also coming here to get their routine administrative work done,” said Mann.

He highlighted that such an initiative was unprecedented in the past 75 years, marking a significant shift in how government services are delivered. The Chief Minister noted that this direct engagement with the public not only helped in addressing immediate concerns but also served as a platform for gathering valuable feedback on state policies.

Mann assured the residents that they would no longer need to travel to Chandigarh for routine matters, as he would be available in Jalandhar to oversee and address their needs. He reiterated his commitment to decentralizing governance and making it more accessible to the people, reflecting his broader vision of a government that operates closer to the grassroots.

“The sole motive of this initiative is to ensure that people of the state, especially from Majha and Doaba region, are facilitated for getting their routine works done…Today, I listened to grievances of people till 8 pm in evening,” he said.

The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to criticize past practices of centralized governance, asserting that the new approach would save time, money, and energy for the people. He emphasized that the state government’s flagship initiative, ‘Sarkar Tuhaade Dwaar,’ which involves organizing village-level camps to provide citizen-centric services, is a step towards making governance more efficient and people-friendly.

Mann Praises AAP volunteers for Jalandhar West win

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, fulfilling his pre-election promise to spend two days a week in Jalandhar city to address local issues by staying connected with the Doaba and Majha regions, held a celebratory lunch meeting with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers and workers on Wednesday to commend them for their remarkable victory in the Jalandhar West assembly by-election.

The win, which saw AAP’s Mohinder Bhagat securing over 60,000 votes and a victory margin exceeding 37,000, was hailed as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the party's grassroots volunteers. Mann expressed gratitude on behalf of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, highlighting that this triumph serves as a resounding endorsement of the party's pro-people policies.

In his address, Mann emphasized the unexpected nature of the victory, noting that surveys and predictions had not anticipated such a decisive outcome. He underscored that the success was not just a political win but also a reflection of the public’s respect for the party’s relentless efforts and commitment to addressing their needs.

Mann used the occasion to reflect on the recent elections and the valuable insights gained from interacting with various community groups, including businessmen, traders, doctors, and teachers.

The Chief Minister also took a moment to address political rivalries, taking a jab at opponents like Sheetal Angural and emphasizing the importance of patience and integrity in politics. He warned against the pitfalls of greed and promised that those who work honestly would be rewarded.

Looking ahead, Mann called on AAP volunteers to remain united and dedicated, stressing that internal disputes could undermine the party’s progress. He drew a comparison with the Shiromani Akali Dal, highlighting the pitfalls of disunity. Mann celebrated AAP’s rapid growth, pointing out its significant achievements in a short span, including governance in two states, representation in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, and mayoral positions in major cities.

Mann assured the volunteers that their hard work would not go unnoticed, with plans to assign responsibilities within the party and the government to those who contributed to the recent victory. He also affirmed his commitment to addressing local needs in Jalandhar, reducing the necessity for residents to travel to Chandigarh for assistance.

He encouraged volunteers to prepare for upcoming elections, including by-polls and local body elections, reinforcing the party's commitment to contest every election with vigor.