Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday called upon the farmers to save the air, water, and land of Punjab by getting rid of the traditional crop cycle and adopting alternative crops which take less time and water.
Mann, addressing the gathering at the state-level function to mark the 299th birth anniversary of Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia at Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, said that he was constantly engaged in brainstorming discussions with the agriculture experts to save the groundwater for past several days as it is the most crucial issue confronted by all of us besides a worrisome problem too for our future generations.
Seeking cooperation from the people, especially the farmers, Mann said that the State Government's intentions were crystal clear to save Punjab, and several major decisions would be taken soon with the support of farmers to boost crop diversification.
Stating that the Government would extend all possible help to those who were adopting crop diversification, Mann also appealed to the farmers to sow paddy only during the monsoon season so that groundwater could be saved enormously.
Expressing deep concern over the fast depleting groundwater, the Chief Minister said that it is our collective duty to save this precious natural resource for future generations.
Pointing out further, Mann said that Punjab was badly under the rife of corruption and mafia which would soon be eradicated. “The leaders of previous governments were hand-in-glove to enjoy government facilities for the past many decades despite losing the elections. Such leaders are still not ready to give up government facilities, including government accommodations. But due to tough decisions being taken by the Government, it won’t happen anymore,” he said.
The Chief Minister also called upon Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and party functionaries to work with utmost sincerity, honesty, and dedication and stand by the truth to safeguard the rights of the people.
He said that the leaders of the previous governments used to take decisions for their own vested interests after coming to power. “But now, it is only 50 days since AAP Government came to power, during which many pro-people decisions have been taken,” he said.
“Due to lack of willpower in the old leaders, our youth have been deprived of government jobs. But our government has issued advertisements for more than 26,000 government jobs,” he said while assuring that many more major decisions would be taken in the coming days for the welfare of the state.
At the same time, he assured the youth of Punjab that his government would create opportunities for their better future in Punjab and no one would have to go abroad for employment.
Paying homage to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on his birth anniversary, the Chief Minister said that he had inherited the legacy of Sikhism, bravery, and spirit to fight for the downtrodden. “The tragedy of today is that we have been persecuted by our own people who have been in power for the last several decades and they have looted their own state. He also said that the people have given them the power which would be used only for the welfare of the people and the people who have looted the state would not be spared,” he said.