Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced that the State Government will create 50,000 more government jobs, aiming to provide one lakh jobs in total. The declaration came as he handed over appointment letters to 763 young beneficiaries under ‘Mission Rozgar,’ raising the tally of government jobs provided in the last three years to 51,655.
Mann, addressing a gathering, called the occasion a ‘red-letter day’ for Punjab’s youth, as new recruits joined the Cooperation, Health and Family Welfare, and Higher Education departments. He underscored the State Government’s commitment to tackling unemployment, emphasizing that transparent recruitment has been a priority.
“We have given over 51,000 government jobs on merit, and none of these appointments have been challenged in any court,” he stated, asserting that Punjab is witnessing an employment revolution under his leadership.
Mann stressed that providing jobs is key to steering youth away from social evils like drug addiction. “I want to place tiffins in the hands of our youth, not syringes. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop, and we are ensuring that our young people find stable employment instead of falling prey to destructive habits,” he said. By ensuring gainful employment, the Government aims to eliminate the root causes of crime and drug abuse, creating a productive and self-reliant workforce.
The Chief Minister reiterated his Government’s policy of swiftly filling vacancies in departments without delays or irregularities. “Unlike past regimes where nepotism and corruption plagued the hiring process, our government has ensured that every job is given on the basis of merit. This is why not a single appointment has been legally challenged,” he remarked. He further assured that Punjab will continue its job creation spree, aiming to cross one lakh government jobs in the coming years.
Highlighting the recent deportation of Punjabi youth from the US, Mann urged young aspirants to build their careers in Punjab instead of seeking opportunities abroad. “The incident of mass deportation should serve as an eye-opener. Our government is committed to creating a prosperous Punjab where no one feels the need to migrate,” he said, noting that due to the state’s new employment initiatives, many youths are returning from abroad to seek opportunities at home.
Mann also spotlighted the success of Punjab’s Sadak Surakhya Force, the first-of-its-kind road safety initiative in India. “With 1,597 specially trained personnel and 144 fully equipped vehicles, this force has reduced road accident fatalities by 48.1 percent,” he revealed. The initiative has earned praise from other states and even the central government.
He reaffirmed that health, education, infrastructure, and law and order remain the top priorities of his administration. "We are working tirelessly for the holistic development of Punjab. The youth must now step forward and serve the state with integrity and professionalism," he concluded.
Opposition Leaders Desperate for CM House, Resorting to Tantrums: Mann
Taking a sharp dig at opposition leaders on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused them of being desperate to occupy the CM’s residence by creating unnecessary theatrics. He asserted that the official residence belongs to the 3.5 crore people of Punjab and can only be occupied by a leader democratically elected by them.
Mann, speaking at the gathering, ridiculed opposition leaders, claiming that they are power-hungry and willing to go to any lengths for personal political gains. “People do not elect such leaders with dubious characters who have never truly worked for them,” he remarked.
Taking a jibe at Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, Mann said: “Bittu behaves as if he has an ancestral right over the CM’s residence just because his grandfather was once the Chief Minister.” He dismissed such entitlement-based claims, asserting that Punjab’s people will never accept these rejected politicians. “Their tantrums won’t help them achieve their dream of occupying the CM’s house because governance belongs to those chosen by the public,” he added.
Criticizing convent-educated politicians, Mann claimed that they are out of touch with ground realities. “These leaders have misled the people for years, but the public has rejected them. Their frustration proves they still fail to understand the aspirations of Punjab’s citizens," he concluded.