category Regional, ludhiana, , tags Regional, ludhiana, , DW BUREAU Ludhiana Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the state government has taken several pro-people and development oriented decisions in its tenure of 18 months. Addressing the gathering during Main Punjab Boldaan Hann debate, the Chief Minister said that ever since assuming charge of office the state government have taken path breaking initiatives for the well being of every section of society adding that 18 months of Aam Aadmi government has overshadowed the so called achievements of previous governments. He said that the state government has ushered a new era of unprecedented development and progress in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government Punjab today leads the country in every arena. The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several decisions with financial prudence due to which the state s own tax revenue has enhanced by 13.2 as compared to 8 during Akali regime in 2012-17 and 6.1 during Congress regime from 2017-22. Likewise, he said that VAT GST collection has also sought upward revision of 16.6 , state excise has increased by 37 , stamp and registration by 27.8 and tax on vehicles by 13.3 . Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has checked pilferages in the taxes besides checking corruption due to which income of state government has enhanced. The Chief Minister said that the state government has Restored 1400 KMs of canals that were abandoned by the successive state governments from many years. He said that the incomplete canals are being constructed to the required length adding that the state government has restored 13,471 water channels (Khals) within a year out of over 15000 water channels were abandoned from 20 to 30 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that contrary to the earlier policy, now those water channels are being repaired, which were not repaired even after 25 years after the construction. Likewise, the Chief Minister said that three times more work of repair of canals and water channels is being executed under MGNREGA in the year 2023-24 (Rs. 228 crore) in comparison to the year 2020-21 (Rs. 77 crore). He said that usage of Canal water has increased over 38 during this year as compared to last year adding that over 5000 cases have been disposed off in a year, which were pending for several years. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has transformed over 40 non-perennial canals into perennial. (editor dailyworld.in)