DW Bureau |  Batala (Gurdaspur)

In another citizen centric initiative, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday dedicated the newly constructed Tehsil complex here to facilitate the people by providing them all the routine administrative services under a single roof.

Interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that the new Tehsil Complex has been constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore adding that he considers himself fortunate to have received the opportunity to contribute to the development of this sacred city. He said that with the construction of the new complex, people from 314 villages will now be able to access various government services under one roof. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in addition to the Batala Sub-Division, Vidhan Sabha constituencies Fatehgarh Churian, Qadian, Sri Hargobindpur Sahib and Batala, as well as some villages from Dera Baba Nanak and Kahnuwan, fall under jurisdiction of this Tehsil.

Therefore, the Chief Minister said that the residents from six assembly constituencies will be immensely benefited from this facility. He said that the foundation stone of this complex was laid on January 4, 2024 and it has been constructed over an area of one acre and 5.5 kanals. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Tehsil Complex houses the offices of the SDM, Tehsildar, Kanungo, and Patwaris, along with a citizen service center.

The Chief Minister said that the complex also has an ultra-modern e-Registry office and for public convenience, a lift has also been installed. He said that the facility includes a well-furnished waiting room with comfortable seating and clean drinking water. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the new Tehsil Complex is located close to the Judicial Complex and Police Lines, which will make administrative work easier for the residents.

Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said that the BJP led NDA government at the centre has been desperately trying for a backdoor entry in the Panjab University, which will not be allowed. He said that ever since inception, the Panjab University, Chandigarh is part of the emotional, cultural, literature and rich legacy of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann bemoaned that regular attempts are being made to change the status of the university, but he said that the Punjab government will not allow any such move in the larger interests of the students.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP is suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome due to which they are hell bent on ruining the state. He said that the BJP doesn’t allow the tableaus of the state to participate in the Independence Day and Republic Day functions. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the undue interference in BBMB, Panjab University and other affairs also reflect the hostile attitude of the saffron party towards the state.

On another query, the Chief Minister said that the state government is organizing a series of events to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. He said that Rs 70 crore are being spent for the holistic development of around 140 towns and villages having the footprints of the ninth Sikh Guru. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government will hold mega events including a special Vidhan Sabha session at the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23-25.

The Chief Minister expressed concern that the declining credibility of the Election Commission of India can prove fatal for democracy. He said that the Election Commission should clarify its position if any political party is raising questions over EVM and vote theft. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Election Commission is mum whereas BJP is acting as its mouthpiece which is very wrong.

The Chief Minister said that not only the state Congress Chief but the entire Congress leadership is suffering from a feudal mindset due to which they use foul language against the common people. He reminded people that this is not for the first time that Warring has issued such a baseless statement whereas it is a regular feature of these haughty leaders. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that leaders like Partap Singh Bajwa, Sunil Jakhar (now in BJP) and others had used the same language even against a former Chief Minister of their own party.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has given government jobs to more than 55,000 eligible youth completely on the basis of merit. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sadak Surakhya Force has been constituted by the state government due to which casualties in road accidents have witnessed a dip by 48% and the initiative has been hailed by the Government of India too. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the state government has set up Schools of Eminence across the state to impart quality education to the students as a result of which 265 students from these and other government schools have qualified for the JEE Mains exam.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that 44 students have cleared JEE Advanced and 848 students have qualified for NEET. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened in the last three years, and this number will soon cross 1,000 adding that so far these clinics have provided free medicine to around 2 crore people. He said that 90% households across the state are getting free power due to the concerted efforts of the state government adding that 19 toll plazas have been closed in the state which is saving Rs 67 lakh daily of the people.

On the occasion MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi and others were also present.