Those committing beadbi used to escape by taking advantage of weak laws, now even their custodians will face life imprisonment: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Govts of opposition parties kept beadbi laws weak due to lack of political will: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Akali Dal leaders once spoke of ruling Punjab for 25 years, today they don't even have 25 people with them: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Punjabis are successful across world, but Punjab lagged behind because system created by previous govts didn't allow people to work honestly: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Our govt not only purchased thermal power plant, but also restarted Pachwara coal mine that had remained shut for years: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Earlier, govts would deliberately show public institutions in losses & sell them off due to commission-based corruption: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Soon, Punjab will become first state in country without electricity poles, with all wires laid underground: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
BJP, Akali Dal and Congress cannot be trusted; moment they get opportunity, they begin looting public money: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann attends Samagam programme organised in Rakhra, Patiala
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday declared that Punjab’s new anti-beadbi law would ensure strict punishment for those involved in beadbi (sacrilege) cases, asserting that the long-used excuse of mental instability would no longer help offenders escape accountability. During a Samagam programme in Rakhra, Patiala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said previous governments deliberately kept beadbi laws weak due to lack of political will, while also launching a blistering attack on the BJP, Congress and Akali Dal for “looting public money” whenever they came to power.
Highlighting his government’s development agenda, the Chief Minister said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has revived the shut Pachwara coal mine, purchased a thermal power plant instead of privatising public assets, and was now working to make Punjab the first state in the country with underground electricity infrastructure replacing poles and overhead wires.
Addressing the public gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the AAP Government is committed to protecting the honour of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. “Repeated incidents of beadbi over the years had deeply hurt the sentiments of people across Punjab. Weak legal provisions under previous governments allowed accused persons to exploit loopholes and escape punishment by claiming mental illness or technical grounds. Excuse of being mentally unstable will no longer work; beadbi will invite strict punishment,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that the new anti-beadbi law enacted by the AAP Government has been designed to ensure strict punishment and eliminate every loophole previously misused by offenders. He said even custodians, guardians or family members of mentally unstable accused persons would now face legal action in beadbi cases. “Those committing beadbi used to escape by taking advantage of weak laws, now even their custodians will face life imprisonment,” he added, while asserting that the law includes provisions for life imprisonment and heavy penalties to create a strong deterrent against such crimes.
Targeting previous regimes, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said opposition parties lacked the political will to enact strong anti-beadbi legislation because many among them had themselves protected those responsible for beadbi incidents. “Governments of opposition parties kept beadbi laws weak due to lack of political will,” he remarked, adding that the people of Punjab had repeatedly demanded justice but earlier governments deliberately weakened the legal framework.
The Chief Minister said the BJP, Congress and Akali Dal had repeatedly betrayed Punjab for political gains. Referring to the Badals, he said, “Akali Dal leaders once spoke of ruling Punjab for 25 years, today they do not even have 25 people with them.” He further stated that these parties could never be trusted because whenever they got an opportunity, they prioritised looting public money over public welfare.
Highlighting the hardworking nature of Punjabis, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjabis have excelled across the globe in every field, but Punjab itself lagged behind because previous governments created systems that discouraged honest progress and promoted corruption and political interference. “Punjabis are successful across the world, but Punjab lagged behind because the system created by previous governments did not allow people to work honestly,” he stated.
The Chief Minister said the Punjab Government has ended the era of political commission culture and corruption-driven governance. He asserted that unlike previous governments, his administration has no personal interests in sand mining, transport contracts, dhabas or business deals. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Punjab Government is working solely for the welfare of people without any hidden financial motives.
Speaking extensively about the power sector, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the AAP Government took a historic decision by purchasing the Goindwal Sahib thermal power plant instead of selling public assets to private entities. He added that previous governments deliberately pushed public institutions into losses and later sold them for private benefit under the guise of inefficiency. “Earlier, governments would deliberately show public institutions in losses and sell them off due to commission-based corruption,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that Punjab would soon emerge as the first state in India to implement underground electricity infrastructure on a large scale. “Electricity poles and overhead wires would gradually be replaced with underground fibre-based systems. The move would reduce transmission losses, minimise infrastructure damage during storms and help prevent incidents related to crop fires. Soon, Punjab will become the first state in the country without electricity poles, with all wires laid underground,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted.
On irrigation reforms, the Chief Minister said the AAP Government has undertaken massive expansion and restoration of canal infrastructure across the state. He stated that when the Punjab Government assumed office, only around 25 to 26 percent canal water was being utilised, whereas the figure has now risen to nearly 78 percent and is expected to increase further during the paddy season.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said thousands of kilometres of canals and water channels have been restored to ensure that nearly every field in Punjab eventually receives canal water. He described canal water as highly beneficial for soil fertility and sustainable agriculture.
Highlighting reforms in education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has emerged as one of the leading states in school education due to improvements in smart classrooms, electricity supply, student-teacher ratios and academic performance. He particularly praised government school students for securing top academic positions and bringing pride to Punjab through their achievements.
Speaking on employment generation, the Chief Minister said the AAP Government has provided more than 65,000 government jobs purely on merit without corruption, recommendations or political interference. He reiterated that no deserving candidate’s rights would be compromised under his government and recruitment processes would remain transparent and fair.
Concluding his address, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab must collectively protect its water resources, agriculture and youth in order to rebuild a prosperous and vibrant “Rangla Punjab.” He called upon people to support honest governance and work together for the future of Punjab.
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