Jalandhar,
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday asserted that his government has fundamentally changed the direction of governance in the state by placing education and social justice at the centre of policy-making, contrasting it sharply with previous regimes that, he said, prioritised political families over the future of Punjab’s children.
Addressing a large gathering at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar during the launch of scholarship disbursement under Mission Rangla Punjab, the Chief Minister announced the release of ₹271 crore as Post-Matric Scholarships to over 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste students. He described the initiative as a decisive break from the past, stating that while earlier governments were preoccupied with sons, daughters and in-laws, the Aam Aadmi Party government is focused on empowering the children of Punjab.
Mann said the sharp 35 percent increase in scholarship beneficiaries compared to 2020–21 was not accidental but the result of systemic reforms in the education sector. He recalled how earlier governments allowed the scholarship scheme to become mired in corruption and delays, leaving thousands of students unable to sit for examinations or receive their degrees. “What was once a symbol of scams has now become a symbol of opportunity,” he said, adding that the government has restored the credibility of the scheme through transparency and accountability.
The Chief Minister said the Post-Matric Scholarship is not just financial assistance but a pathway to self-reliance for students from economically weaker Scheduled Caste families. He noted that the scheme targets families with an annual income of less than ₹2.50 lakh and is being implemented through a fully transparent digital mechanism. The scholarship budget has been enhanced from ₹245 crore to ₹271 crore, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring that no deserving student is denied higher education due to lack of resources.
Recalling the period between 2017 and 2020, Mann said the scheme had virtually collapsed due to misappropriation of funds, which deeply hurt Punjab’s youth. He alleged that money meant for the education of marginalised students was siphoned off, betraying the very communities it was meant to uplift. “Those responsible cheated not just the students but the entire state,” he remarked.
Emphasising the transformative power of education, the Chief Minister said that quality education alone can break the cycle of poverty and social inequality. He accused successive governments of deliberately keeping people uneducated to maintain control, and said his administration was reversing that mindset by investing heavily in schools, colleges and scholarships. Congratulating parents, he said their sacrifices and faith in education were the strongest foundation for their children’s success.
During his address, Mann recited lines from Sant Ram Udaasi’s poem Maghda Rahin Ve Surja Kammian De Vehre, urging students to believe in hard work, discipline and clear goals. He said the poem symbolised the spirit of perseverance that his government wants to instil in Punjab’s youth.
Linking the scholarship initiative to Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s philosophy, Mann said education is the most powerful weapon to eliminate inequality. He said the government has introduced bio-authentication for students, heads of institutions and nodal officers on the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Portal to prevent fraud and ensure accountability. A new monitoring and grievance redressal system has also been put in place to track every rupee.
Highlighting broader education reforms, the Chief Minister said Punjab has emerged as a national leader in school education, topping the National Achievement Survey and surpassing traditionally high-performing states. He said government schools are being transformed into centres of excellence through smart classrooms, modern laboratories, playgrounds and teacher training programmes, including international exposure for educators. Students are now receiving coaching for competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE, CLAT, NIFT and Armed Forces entry, with many government school students successfully qualifying for national-level exams.
Mann also outlined parallel reforms in healthcare, stating that Punjab has become the first state to provide free healthcare to all citizens. Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh is being offered to 65 lakh families, without any income criteria. He said 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are delivering free treatment daily, bringing quality healthcare closer to people.
On governance and service delivery, the Chief Minister said that over the past four years, 63,027 government jobs have been provided transparently, without bribes or political influence. He added that 90 percent of households are now receiving free electricity, and farmers are being assured more than eight hours of uninterrupted daytime power during the paddy season. To strengthen irrigation, nearly 6,900 kilometres of watercourses have been revived to ensure water reaches tail-end farmers.
Looking ahead, Mann said the state would commemorate major social and spiritual milestones, including the upcoming 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidass Ji, with statewide programmes aimed at promoting unity and social harmony.
Taking a final swipe at traditional political parties, the Chief Minister said they are unsettled by the fact that a common man is successfully governing Punjab. He said people have rejected parties that followed anti-people and anti-Punjab policies, and have placed their trust in a government that prioritises education, dignity and equal opportunity. “This trust is our biggest responsibility,” Mann said, “and we are determined to honour it.”