*Punjab protects nation’s borders, yet Centre’s support remains inadequate; State deserves special category status & dedicated border package: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Only 107 border villages covered under Vibrant Village-II despite over 2,000 villages living along international border: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab bears burden of terrorism, drone smuggling, floods and border tensions; Centre must give state its due share in development: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Secure, safe and thriving Punjab is essential for achieving Viksit Bharat 2047: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab seeks 90:10 funding under all Centrally Sponsored Schemes on lines of hill states, North-East and J&K: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*From ₹10 lakh health cover to top-ranked schools, Punjab presents governance model for Viksit Bharat at NITI Aayog: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Centre should declare Mohali ‘National Knowledge Hub’ & establish ‘Integrated Semiconductor Mega-Cluster’: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab raises long-pending demands at NITI Aayog, seeks justice for border regions and recognition of state’s national contribution: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday strongly raised Punjab’s long-pending concerns before the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog Governing Council, seeking a special package for the revitalisation of border areas and demanding that Punjab be accorded Special Category Status (SCS) with 90:10 funding under all Centrally Sponsored Schemes on the lines of hill states, North Eastern states and Jammu & Kashmir. Addressing the meeting, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted the extraordinary security, economic and social challenges faced by Punjab as a frontline border state and asserted that the state’s aspirations are fully aligned with the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
*Punjab Deserves Special Support as a Frontline Border State*
Speaking on the unique challenges confronting Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is a frontline state sharing a 553-kilometre border with Pakistan. The state faces a deep and multidimensional crisis that includes persistent cross-border terrorism, drone-based smuggling of heroin and weapons. This has resulted in a drug addiction epidemic among youth, organised crime and daily hardship for farmers cultivating land between the security fence and the international border under BSF escort.”
Highlighting the impact of natural disasters and security-related disruptions, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab also suffered the devastating impact of natural disasters such as the 2025 floods, which damaged more than 2,300 villages and caused losses estimated at ₹12,905 crore. The onslaught that residents of Punjab had to face in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor was visible for the entire country to see.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that densely populated villages and towns located close to the international border have been deprived of the economic growth witnessed by other parts of the country. He noted that decades of uncertainty and risk have resulted in negligible investment in border districts and, in many cases, led to a flight of capital and the closure or relocation of industries. “Although Punjab acts as a buffer for the country against repeated hostilities from our neighbour, support from the Government of India has been grossly inadequate for the state and its border areas,” he said.
Pointing to the disparity in development initiatives, the Chief Minister said, “Only 107 villages have been covered under the recently launched Vibrant Village-II Programme, whereas more than 2,000 villages and towns are located in very close proximity to the border.”
*Centre Must Accept Punjab’s Genuine and Long-Pending Demands*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has repeatedly urged the Union Government to take urgent measures to strengthen the international border and address the multiple challenges confronting the state. “To secure our international border with Pakistan, make it future-ready and address the multifaceted crisis facing Punjab, we have placed a series of urgent demands before the Central Government on multiple occasions. However, there has been little and unenthusiastic response from the Centre, which is unfortunate and undesirable,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the demands raised during the 10th meeting of the Governing Council in May 2025, as well as those presented during the current meeting, deserve serious consideration. “The genuine demands of the people of Punjab, raised by me during the 10th meeting of the Governing Council and reiterated today, may kindly be accepted,” he said.
*Secure and Prosperous Punjab Essential for Viksit Bharat*
Urging the Prime Minister to extend greater support to Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab and its people stand resolute in their commitment to protect the country and its borders from a hostile neighbour even at the cost of their own disadvantage.” Expressing hope that Punjab’s concerns would receive a positive response, he added, “I hope that the genuine and legitimate demands of the state are favourably considered and Punjab is given its due recognition and share in the economic development of the country.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the Prime Minister that Punjab would continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the Union Government to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. “Punjab and its people will collaboratively work with the Government of India towards making India Viksit Bharat @ 2047. Only a secure, safe and thriving Punjab can guarantee a Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” he said.
*Rangla Punjab Vision Aligned With National Priorities*
Presenting Punjab’s development roadmap, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “As the Chief Minister of Punjab, a land of resilience, promise and potential, I am proud to present our collective vision for a Rangla Punjab that is determined to play a pivotal role in shaping a Viksit Bharat by 2047.” He said that as Punjab’s aspirations align with national priorities, discussions centred on human capital development are both timely and crucial.
The Chief Minister envisioned a family-centric development model focused on ensuring the well-being of every child, empowering the working-age population to become productive and innovative, and providing dignity and care to the elderly. “This requires us to harness our inherent strengths, confront challenges head-on with innovative solutions, empower people with cutting-edge skills and create an enabling environment that allows them to become active contributors and beneficiaries of Punjab’s and India’s growth story,” he said.
*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna Bringing Universal Health Coverage to Every Family*
Emphasising the importance of health and nutrition in human capital development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has adopted a continuum-of-care approach that integrates preventive and curative healthcare services. The Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government has taken a historic step towards Universal Health Coverage through the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. “Under this transformative initiative, every family in Punjab is entitled to cashless health cover of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year for a comprehensive range of 2,356 medical and surgical procedures,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further stated that the scheme is being implemented through an extensive network of nearly 900 government and empanelled private hospitals across Punjab and Chandigarh, ensuring seamless access to quality healthcare services.
*Aam Aadmi Clinics Redefining Primary Healthcare Delivery*
Highlighting Punjab’s primary healthcare transformation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state has established 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics, including 414 in urban areas and 576 in rural areas. “These clinics are built on the pillars of standardisation and provide 107 essential medicines and 47 diagnostic tests completely free of cost. They are supported by IT-enabled real-time reporting systems,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the response from citizens has been unprecedented. “More than 5.54 crore OPD visits have been recorded till date. Around 84,000 patients are served every single day and more than 90% of patients receive all prescribed medicines free of cost at the clinic itself,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the impact of the initiative is reflected in public satisfaction levels. “With 97% of patients expressing satisfaction with the services received, the trust people have reposed in this initiative is clearly visible,” he said. He further announced that 400 additional Aam Aadmi Clinics are in the pipeline, reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring accessible, dignified and quality healthcare for every citizen.
*Yudh Nashean Virudh Strengthening Punjab’s Fight Against Drugs*
Highlighting Punjab’s anti-drug campaign, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has launched Yudh Nashean Virudh as a comprehensive and determined effort to combat drug abuse and trafficking across the state. Under the campaign, he said, 547 Out-Patient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Clinics, 183 de-addiction centres and 90 rehabilitation centres are functioning across Punjab to support treatment and long-term recovery. The Chief Minister said that de-addiction services have also been extended to 19 jails to ensure continuity of care for incarcerated individuals.
Complementing these efforts, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has launched ‘School Nashean Virudh’, a first-of-its-kind preventive education initiative. “The programme is reaching nearly eight lakh students across 3,658 government schools. Students are being equipped with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and values needed to resist substance abuse and make informed life choices,” he said.
*Sports and Wellness Central to Drug-Free Punjab*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that recognising the critical preventive role of sports in human well-being, the Punjab Government has adopted a holistic approach through the historic initiative ‘Khed-da Punjab, Badalda Punjab’. “The battle against drugs will be fought not only through enforcement but also by engaging our youth in constructive, disciplined and competitive pursuits,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that to strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure, promote fitness and nurture talent, the Punjab Government has made a historic allocation of ₹1,763 crore for the sports sector in 2026-27. He added that more than 3,150 village-level playgrounds and 5,000 rural gyms are being developed across Punjab to encourage healthy lifestyles and channel the energy of youth towards constructive nation-building.
Highlighting the success of CM Di Yogshala, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the initiative is promoting preventive healthcare and holistic well-being across the state. “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that around three lakh people practise yoga daily under this initiative,” he said.
*Punjab Emerges as India’s Top-Performing School Education System*
Underscoring the importance of education in human capital development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has emerged as India’s top-performing school education system in NITI Aayog’s Education Quality Report 2026. He said that Punjab views Early Childhood Care and Education not merely as preparatory schooling but as a long-term investment in human capital, equity and inclusive growth. “Nearly 90% of brain development occurs before the age of six. Keeping this in mind, Punjab has made substantial investments in early childhood and primary education with a strong focus on developmental milestones and learning outcomes,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the transformation has been driven by an engaging, play-based learning approach involving storytelling, group activities and real-world application of concepts. He highlighted the success of Mission Samrath, launched to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy for all students. “Through structured pedagogy and focused interventions, we have improved learning outcomes on a mass scale,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab’s top ranking in PARAKH (Performance Assessment Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) assessments is the result of sustained and focused efforts. “Punjab’s government school students in Classes 3 to 9 are outperforming the national average by 10 to 15 percentage points across core subjects, reflecting sustained learning gains throughout the schooling journey,” he said.
*Hunar Sikhia Schools Connecting Education With Industry*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab is redefining school education by linking learning with practical skills, employment opportunities and students’ aspirations. He said that 40 Hunar Sikhia Schools have been established across all 23 districts of Punjab to create meaningful pathways for youth through structured and industry-aligned education. “For the current academic session, nearly 3,500 students are enrolled in Classes 11 and 12 under the Hunar Sikhia School Programme,” he said. The Chief Minister said the uniqueness of Hunar Sikhia Schools lies in the complete integration of vocational education with mainstream senior secondary education.
Alongside foundational subjects focused on communication, technology, career readiness and Punjab’s culture and heritage, students are receiving training in industry-aligned sectors including Healthcare Sciences and Services, Digital Design and Development, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, and Beauty and Wellness.
He said strategic partnerships have been established with Max Healthcare, IIT Delhi, Labour Net and Orane International. “Our students are gaining hands-on learning through internships, exposure visits, guest lectures, summer projects and industry interactions,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister further said that 70 exposure visits across 51 industries have already benefited 1,356 students. “This secondary school curriculum is internship-embedded. From June 1, 2026, students have begun industry internships to gain real workplace exposure and understand professional responsibilities. Stipend support of ₹2,500 for 30-day internships and ₹1,250 for 14-day internships is also being provided,” he added.
*Business Blasters Turning Students from Job Seekers into Job Creators*
Highlighting Punjab’s focus on entrepreneurship, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government has launched the Punjab Young Entrepreneurs Program (Business Blasters) with the vision of transforming students from job seekers into job creators. “What started as a pilot initiative in a limited number of schools has today evolved into a statewide movement,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that Business Blasters has now been introduced as a mandatory subject for all Class 11 and 12 students in both government and private schools. “In the current academic year alone, the programme has reached nearly 3,800 schools, including 1,931 government schools and 1,849 private schools, benefiting more than 2.68 lakh students across Punjab by providing entrepreneurial education, practical experience and access to seed funding,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
*Mindfulness Programme Strengthening Students’ Emotional Well-Being*
Emphasising that academic excellence must be accompanied by emotional well-being and character development, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has introduced a statewide Mindfulness Programme across government schools.
The Chief Minister said that the programme integrates guided meditation, mindful breathing, positive affirmations and gratitude practices into the daily routine of students. “The programme aims to strengthen concentration, emotional resilience, self-awareness and mental readiness, enabling students to learn with greater focus and confidence,” he said.
*Punjab Expanding Skill Development Infrastructure Across the State*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government continues to accord high priority to skill development, recognising that a competitive economy requires a trained and industry-ready workforce. The Chief Minister said that over the past year, seats in Government ITIs have been expanded significantly from 35,000 to 52,000, thereby widening access to vocational education for thousands of young people across Punjab.
He further stated that a state-wide modernisation effort through machinery upgrades is currently underway across all ITIs. “In a pioneering step, Punjab has operationalised ITIs in 11 jails, integrating skill development with social rehabilitation,” he said.
*CPYTE Training Youth for Armed Forces and Security Services*
Highlighting another major initiative, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth (CPYTE), fully funded by the Punjab Government, has emerged as an important platform for preparing youth for careers in the armed and paramilitary forces.
The Chief Minister said that CPYTE operates through 14 residential campuses across Punjab and trains nearly 10,000 youth every year through a three-month programme focused on academics and physical fitness. “These youth are trained for recruitment into the armed forces as soldiers, as well as for the State Police, State Jails and security agencies across the country,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further informed that 2,500 candidates trained at CPYTE have joined the armed forces as Agniveers this year.
*Armed Forces Preparatory Institutes Creating Future Officers*
The Chief Minister said that another highly successful initiative of the Punjab Government has been the establishment of state-funded Armed Forces Preparatory Institutes (AFPI), which provide residential training to young men and women for two to three years to prepare them for entry into the armed forces as commissioned officers through NDA and CDS/OTA.
Highlighting the achievements of these institutes, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Maharaja Ranjit Singh AFPI for Men has recorded a success rate of 55%, while nearly 196 cadets have been commissioned as officers into the armed forces.” He further stated that 43 women cadets from the Mai Bhago AFPI for Women have joined NDA, OTA, INA and AFA streams and are on the path to being commissioned as officers.
The Chief Minister also informed that Punjab has recently established a new AFPI that provides short-term training ranging from 15 days to three months for men and women aspiring to join the armed and paramilitary forces as commissioned officers. “This programme is also open to professionals such as nurses, doctors, engineers and lawyers,” he added.
*Punjab Strengthening Employment Ecosystem Through Technology*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has operationalised the employment portal
www.punjabrozgar.org.in to strengthen connections between employers and job seekers. The Chief Minister said that the portal has helped create greater synergy between employers and potential employees while enabling a data-driven approach towards improving employability across the state.
*Technology-Driven Security Initiatives Making Punjab Safer*
Highlighting Punjab’s commitment to internal security and public safety, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that human capital development can succeed only when supported by safe communities, social resilience and strong institutions. The Chief Minister said that Punjab has adopted a proactive and technology-driven approach towards public safety through initiatives such as the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), strengthened counter-intelligence mechanisms and deployment of anti-drone systems in border areas.
He further said that citizen-centric interventions through the Sadak Surakhiya Force have significantly improved emergency response systems and road safety outcomes across Punjab.
*Punjab Seeks National Knowledge and Education Hub Status for Mohali*
Listing Punjab’s aspirations before the NITI Aayog, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann thanked the institution for creating a platform that aligns national priorities with regional aspirations and provides states an opportunity to share their developmental initiatives. The Chief Minister urged the Union Government to recognise Mohali and the area within a 50-kilometre radius as a National Knowledge and Education Hub.
He said that the region possesses a unique concentration of educational institutions, research centres and innovation ecosystems of national importance, along with a large talent pool and a strong industry-academia collaboration framework. “This recognition will strengthen Mohali’s global competitiveness, attract investments and international partnerships, and promote innovation-led growth in support of India’s vision of becoming a leading knowledge-based economy,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
*Proposal for National Knowledge and Innovation Region in Mohali*
The Chief Minister further proposed the development of the Mohali region as a National Knowledge and Innovation Region (NKIR) through integrated planning and the creation of world-class infrastructure. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that advanced shared research facilities, dedicated funding mechanisms and Centres of Excellence in strategic sectors should be established. “These Centres of Excellence should focus on Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Quantum Technologies, Agri-Tech and Advanced Manufacturing,” he said.
The Chief Minister also advocated attracting reputed foreign universities to establish campuses and collaborative academic centres in Mohali. “This will strengthen India’s internationalisation agenda while enhancing global academic engagement,” he added.
*Strengthening Global Connectivity Through Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also called for the expansion of domestic and international air connectivity through Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. He advocated direct air links to major global centres of education, research and innovation in Europe, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and other strategically important destinations.
*Punjab Seeks Integrated Semiconductor Mega-Cluster for Mohali*
Making a strong case for Punjab’s role in India’s semiconductor future, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann urged the Union Government to establish an all-in-one Integrated Semiconductor Mega-Cluster (ISMC) in Mohali under the Semiconductor Mission. The Chief Minister said that the NITI Frontier Tech Hub roadmap lays out a clear vision for India’s semiconductor future and Punjab is uniquely positioned to contribute significantly to that vision.
*Mohali Has Unique Advantages in Semiconductor Manufacturing*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while India’s semiconductor strategy has successfully extended incentives to standalone front-end fabrication units in Gujarat and back-end OSAT facilities in Assam and Sanand, vulnerabilities remain due to fragmentation in the global semiconductor supply chain.
The Chief Minister said that Mohali, home to the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), the country’s only fully integrated device manufacturer, is ideally placed to host a comprehensive end-to-end semiconductor manufacturing, assembly and packaging ecosystem. “Unlike many regions that are beginning from greenfield sites, Mohali possesses a strong brownfield foundation, legacy institutional knowledge and four decades of experience in handling Class 10 and Class 100 cleanrooms, hazardous chemicals and high-precision metrology,” he said.
*₹4,500 Crore SCL Modernisation Can Transform Mohali into India’s Semiconductor Hub*
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reminded the gathering that the Government of India has already committed ₹4,500 crore towards the modernisation of SCL Mohali. The Chief Minister said that the investment is aimed at increasing wafer production capacity by nearly 100 times while integrating advanced commercial pipelines.
Urging the Prime Minister to maximise the benefits of this investment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The ₹4,500 crore modernisation programme should be leveraged to transform Mohali into an all-in-one Integrated Semiconductor Mega-Cluster.” He said that integrating design, fabrication and advanced packaging facilities (ATMP/OSAT) within a single 50-kilometre radius would significantly reduce domestic lead times, strengthen strategic sovereignty and create a globally competitive destination for commercial foundries.
*Mohali Can Become India’s Semiconductor Growth Engine*
The Chief Minister said that Mohali possesses several strategic and logistical advantages that make it the ideal location for an Integrated Semiconductor Mega-Cluster. “Ready availability of trained manpower, proximity to defence and strategic consumers, requisite infrastructure and an existing private-sector footprint in the field are already available in Mohali,” he said. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that establishing the cluster would position Punjab as a frontrunner in one of the world’s most strategic and high-growth sectors, while accelerating economic growth and innovation in the state.
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