Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), July 16:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday called upon the people to take a pledge to curb the depletion of groundwater and control environmental pollution.
Addressing a gathering during an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the cleaning of the holy Kali Bein, the Chief Minister said that although Punjab is known as the land of rivers, the state is currently facing a severe water crisis, making water conservation a major challenge. He highlighted that since assuming office, his government has revived 15,947 water channels across the state, enabling water to reach even the remotest villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at the time he took charge, only 21% of canal water was being utilized for irrigation in Punjab.
However, the Chief Minister proudly shared that today, 63% of the canal water is being used for irrigation. He urged people to come forward and support the state government in transforming the campaign for water and environmental conservation into a mass movement. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized the need for active public participation and full cooperation in this noble cause.
Quoting from Gurbani, the Chief Minister said, “Pavan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat”, which explains how our revered Gurus equated air (pavan) with the teacher, water (paani) with the father, and land (dharat) with the mother. Sadly, he remarked, we have failed to honor the teachings of the Gurus by polluting all three. Bhagwant Singh Mann stressed that the time has come to sincerely imbibe the essence of Gurbani to restore Punjab’s ecological and spiritual glory.
Highlighting key public welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment worth ₹10 lakh to every resident family of Punjab. He proudly noted that Punjab has become the first state in India to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage to every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will provide a huge relief to the general public by offering them quality healthcare services.
Addressing the issue of drug abuse, the Chief Minister said that the drug menace had long tarnished Punjab’s image. To counter this, he said that the state government adopted a multi-pronged approach: disrupting drug supply chains, arresting key offenders, rehabilitating victims, and seizing and destroying properties of drug smugglers. Bhagwant Singh Mann mentioned that the state has launched Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh (War Against Drugs), a campaign aimed at eradicating drugs adding that as part of this, village panchayats are passing resolutions to declare their villages drug-free.
On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal welcomed all the dignitaries present.