unjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday took aim at Bollywood star and BJP MP from Gurdaspur Sunny Deol criticizing his perceived absence from the constituency and questioning his commitment to serving the people. Mann, speaking at the second ‘Sarkaar Vapaar Milni’, emphasized the importance of being available to constituents round the clock, highlighting that politics is not a nine-to-five job.
Mann pledged to boost development in Pathankot district, announcing plans to explore a special industrial and trade package for the border town. He also promised to personally address the issue of starting flights from Pathankot airport to Delhi.
Turning his attention to Deol, Mann accused the MP of lacking familiarity with the region, suggesting that he was unaware of basic geography. He criticized Deol's alleged neglect of Gurdaspur, stating that the people had erred in electing a Bollywood star with no local connection.
Mann further lambasted Deol's performance as an MP, mocking his on-screen persona of uprooting hand pumps while asserting that Deol had failed to deliver even basic amenities like clean water to the people. He urged the voters to support local leaders committed to serving the State, rather than electing “parachute leaders” from outside.
Announcing plans to significantly boost development in Pathankot district, Mann emphasized the exploration of a special industrial and trade package for the border town. At the same time, he pledged personal intervention to initiate flights from Pathankot airport to Delhi and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance tourism in the region, leveraging its natural beauty for economic growth. Additionally, he underscored the government’s commitment to explore a tailored industrial package to stimulate growth in the area.
He emphasized the role of traders in the state's progress, launching initiatives like Sarkaar Vapaar Milni to address their concerns directly. Mann also introduced the Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar scheme, aimed at decentralizing governance and enhancing citizen access to services, exemplified by doorstep delivery of essential government services.
The closure of toll plazas and the introduction of green-colored stamp papers for entrepreneurs were cited as measures to ease business operations and promote industrial growth. Mann reiterated the government's commitment to utilizing tax revenue for public welfare, emphasizing its proactive stance in facilitating trade and industry.
Accusing the Centre of charging exorbitant rates for military assistance, Mann alleged a pattern of exploitation where the State is billed Rs one crore daily after an initial week of free assistance. He claimed that Punjab was reportedly charged Rs seven crore for deploying paramilitary forces during the Dinanagar military attack.
Mann, in a scathing letter to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, questioned the fairness of the charges, particularly given Punjab's pivotal role in combating terrorism. However, his inquiry was met with a dismissive response from Singh, who allegedly instructed Mann to refrain from further discussion on the matter. The prevailing rule, as outlined by Mann, stipulates a week of free military assistance followed by a daily charge of Rs one crore, a policy he deemed unjust and exploitative.
Moreover, Mann criticized the Defense Minister for his lack of engagement in addressing Punjab's security concerns, highlighting a prevailing trend of indifference towards the state's needs.
Also addressing another issue, Mann condemned toll plaza agreements that burdened Punjab residents with excessive charges. He asserted his administration's commitment to shutting down toll plazas that violate agreements.
Furthermore, Mann highlighted efforts to streamline business operations in Punjab, citing initiatives such as introduction of color-coded stamp papers to simplify land transactions. He emphasized the government's focus on facilitating business activities and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, a move aimed at attracting investment and fostering economic growth in the state.
