Jobs & Industry Return To Punjab Under Bhagwant Mann Govt;

May6,2026 | Jagrati Lahar Bureau | Phagwara

*Doaba gets major boost as CM announces JCT Mill to restart

*Every worker’s pending salary & dues will be cleared before JCT Mill restarts: CM

*Sugarcane farmers will be paid first; Those who fled won’t escape, their properties attached: CM

*Strictest law now in place, no one will escape punishment for ‘beadbi' of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji: CM

*BJP thrives on division & fear, Punjab must reject politics that once pushed state into dark days: CM

PHAGWARA, 6th May (Shiv Kaura) In a big gift for the entire Doaba region, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced to restart the operations of world acclaimed JCT Mill, here in the heart of the region thereby giving major fillip to economic activity and opening new vistas of employment for the youth. During his Shukrana Yatra, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “I have good news for all Punjabis, especially the people of Phagwara, that the famous JCT Mills will soon restart operations. The pristine glory of this mill will be restored as production resumes, giving a huge impetus to the industrial development of Doaba. The JCT football team will also be revived to place Punjab back on the roadmap of international football. A Punjabi entrepreneur has purchased the properties of JCT Mills, and before granting any permission, we have made it clear that every pending salary and labour due must be paid and every single penny owed to workers will be cleared. Addressing dues of farmers and workers, he said, “The issue of pending payments of sugarcane farmers will also be settled. Those who fled abroad have had their properties attached by the government, and these assets will be auctioned with farmers’ dues paid first. The state government has records of every farmer and every pending payment. I will not let anyone cheat them and the interests of every section of society will be safeguarded.”
Speaking about public support and legal reforms CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “The massive gathering at Phagwara despite the scorching heat shows tremendous support of the people for the state government and its policies. By God’s grace, I have got the opportunity to serve the people by making a very strict law to prevent the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Earlier, there were many loopholes in the law and people used to escape by pretending to be mentally unstable or of unsound mind. Now, the perpetrators of sacrilege will be given exemplary punishment, whereas previous governments could have enacted such a law but their intentions were dishonest.”Warning against divisive politics, he continued,“Some political parties are trying to divide people in the name of religion. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s politics revolves around creating divisions between communities and then frightening both sides for votes, and people should beware of this. Punjab must outrightly reject such forces as the state has already seen dark days in the past that derailed its development.” “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to organise events to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. The state government will leave no stone unturned to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass ji in an unsurpassed manner. It is our collective duty to spread the message of Guru Maharaj across the globe, as Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj ji envisioned an egalitarian society free from discrimination,” he shared.Detailing preparations for the celebrations, the Chief Minister added, “Year-long events have been planned to mark the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj ji,who gave the message of welfare of entire humanity and equality of all sections of society, creating a truly egalitarian order. He laid out the concept of an ideal society where nobody suffers, and the state government has sought blessings and suggestions from the Sant Samaj to commemorate this occasion globally in a befitting manner. It is a matter of immense pride that these celebrations are being held during my tenure, and we will ensure they are conducted with full religious fervour and gaiety with guidance from the Sant Samaj.”Highlighting governance and welfare measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The tax money of people belongs to the state and we are spending it judiciously on their welfare. People’s money is coming back to them through development, schools, hospitals and roads. The state government is working for the people, providing free electricity to 90% households, jobs to over 65,000 youth without corruption, improving roads, closing toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and building infrastructure. For the first time in the state’s history, more than eight hours of uninterrupted power has been supplied to farm tube wells during the paddy season, and farmers are receiving daytime electricity for irrigation, transforming their lives.”He continued, “Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has been launched under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh, over 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards, and 1.65 lakh people have availed free treatment. People should take maximum benefit of this scheme.”Announcing support for women, he said, “The state government has launched the Maavan Dhiyan Satikar Yojna under which every woman will receive ₹1,000 per month and women belonging to Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1,500 per month. The funds will be directly transferred to bank accounts, women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible, around 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit, and ₹9,300 crore has been allocated for this in the budget.”On the occasion Lok Sabha MP Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal, senior AAP leader Harnoor Singh Harji Mann and others were also present.