Bhadson (Patiala), October 7:
Punjab Power, Rural Development and Panchayats, Labour, Hospitality and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had proved himself a true son of Punjab by undertaking several historic initiatives for the welfare of the state and its people during the past four-and-a-half years.
Sond was speaking as the chief guest at the 58th annual three-day Tiwana Sports Mela at Dittupur Jattan near Bhadson. Senior AAP leader Karanveer Singh Tiwana and Market Committee Nabha Chairman Gurdeep Singh Tiwana were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Sond said the Opposition was unable to digest the Chief Minister’s popularity and was resorting to “cheap tactics” to malign him. He said those who were now criticising the popular Chief Minister were the same people who, during their tenure, had pushed Punjab’s youth towards drugs and failed to take concrete steps for the welfare of farmers.
Encouraging the kabaddi players, Cabinet Minister Sond said the Punjab Government had earmarked ₹1,500 crore for 3,100 sports grounds across the state. These grounds, along with the ‘Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan’ initiative, were providing youngsters with opportunities to take up sports and stay away from drugs, he added.
The Minister said the government was working to protect Punjab’s water resources and ensure canal water reaches every field to safeguard agriculture and prevent the state’s fertile land from turning barren.
He further said Punjab was moving ahead on the path of development, with the government working continuously to provide better opportunities to youngsters within the state. He said the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign was yielding positive results and urged people to remain vigilant against what he termed “propaganda” by Opposition parties and contribute to Punjab’s progress. Members of the Tiwana Sports and Youth Welfare Club and Gram Panchayat, and a large number of residents, were present.
