New Delhi [India], March 9 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while addressing the 'Punjab Bachao' rally held in Amritsar, said that Punjab is not just a state but the soul of India.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is the sacred land from where the message of 'Sarbat da Bhala' spread across the world from Sri Harmandir Sahib. He added that it is also the land where Jallianwala Bagh stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made during India's freedom struggle. Punjab, he said, has given the nation immortal sons such as Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh and Sukhdev.
Saini said that raising the slogan of 'Punjab Bachao' on such historic land brings pain but also strengthens resolve. He added that it is time for introspection on whether Punjab's youth are moving towards a secure and confident future or being pushed into the darkness of drugs and despair.
He also questioned whether farmers are receiving relief or continuing to face debt and uncertain policies and whether traders are able to conduct business fearlessly or are living under the shadow of extortion and insecurity.
Targeting the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments, the Chief Minister said that decades of Congress rule weakened Punjab through corruption and lax administration. He alleged that the drug problem spread to villages across the state while action remained largely limited to paperwork.
He added that promises of loan waivers for farmers and employment for youth were made but the expected results were not visible on the ground.
Saini further said that even after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power, public expectations have not been fulfilled. According to him, despite more than four years in office, drugs have not been completely eradicated and large-scale employment opportunities for youth have not been created.
The Chief Minister demanded that the Punjab government release a white paper detailing how many young people have been given permanent employment in recent years and what concrete steps have been taken against drug trafficking.
Highlighting Haryana's welfare initiatives, Saini said that the state provides Minimum Support Price for 24 crops. He added that under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, INR 5,000 crore has been allocated in the budget to provide financial assistance of INR 2,100.
He said that farmers are given full compensation in case of crop loss due to natural disasters. According to him, while INR 1,139 crore was provided as compensation during the Congress tenure, the BJP's double-engine government has provided INR 15,500 crore to farmers.
Saini also said that under the Ayushman and Chirayu Yojana, families in Haryana receive free medical treatment of up to INR 5 lakh, benefiting lakhs of people. He added that around INR 4,500 crore has been spent on treatment under the scheme.
The Chief Minister further said that senior citizens in Haryana receive INR 3,200 per month as Old Age Samman Allowance pension. In contrast, he said the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab had promised to increase the pension from INR 1,500 to INR 2,500 but the promise has not yet been fulfilled.
Saini appealed to the people of Punjab to give the BJP an opportunity in the 2027 Assembly elections, saying it would bring development, good governance and security to the state.
He expressed confidence that Punjab would play an important role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.
The Chief Minister also assured that once a BJP government is formed, effective control will be imposed on organised crime in Punjab.
BJP leader Shwait Malik, programme convener Sahib Singh Muchhal, Raghubir Singh Chhinda, former MLA Bishan Saini and other dignitaries were present at the event.
(ANI)