Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the State Government has requested the central funds for the police forces deployed along the international borders. Mann highlighted the significant contribution of Punjab Police, with 25-30 percent of personnel stationed at the Pakistan border, assisting central forces in maintaining national security across seven districts.
“We need separate compensation for the Punjab Police who are diligently working on national security and assisting central forces in the border areas,” said Man, adding that the demand was presented during a recent meeting with the chairperson of the 16th Finance Commission.
Expressing frustration over the pending Rs 1,000 crore under the National Health Mission Programme, attributing the delay to the Centre’s dissatisfaction with the branding of Aam Aadmi Clinics, he said: “We assured them we would comply, but it seems they are unwilling to disburse the funds. Kerala and West Bengal have taken the issue to the Supreme Court, and we may do the same.”
The Chief Minister accused the Union government of conspiring to deny quality health services to Punjabis by stalling Rs 1,000 crore under the National Health Mission. “The Centre’s actions are aimed at sabotaging pro-people initiatives,” he asserted.
Mann praised the impact of Aam Aadmi Clinics, stating that 1.75 crore people have benefited from them, with more than 95 percent of patients recovering from their ailments. “These clinics are a testament to our commitment to healthcare,” he said.
When questioned about his absence from the NITI Aayog meeting on Saturday, Mann responded, “We attended two NITI Aayog meetings, but there was nothing for us in the Union Budget.” Dismissing the NITI Aayog meetings as unproductive, he justified his decision to boycott them, saying, “Nothing fruitful comes out of these meetings. It’s better to focus on constructive work in the state.”
Expressing disappointment over Punjab’s exclusion from the Union budget, Mann criticized the “step-motherly treatment” and the negative impact on the state’s industrial growth due to tax holidays granted to other states. “This is unwarranted in a democratic country,” he lamented, accusing the Union government of harassing non-BJP governments and stifling opposition voices.
Mann announced his participation in the INDIA bloc protest at Jantar Mantar on July 30, condemning the treatment of Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar jail. “All INDIA bloc CMs will join the protest. They deny him medicine, claiming he's doing it deliberately. Who risks their life this way?” he questioned.