At hometurf, Mann's warning to BJP leaders: ‘Refrain from jeopardising development work in Punjab'
Mann was at Sanatan Dharamshala in Dhuri, Sangrur district in Punjab, where he handed over cheques worth Rs 3.07 crore for several development projects.
Asserting though the Punjab government is set to construct a railway over bridge (ROB) in Dhuri — for which it has received permission from the Ministry of Railways — several 'politicians with vested interests are creating hurdles in the project commencement'.
Mann said: 'The estimated project cost is nearly Rs 54.74 crore, and once the ROB is built, the railway crossing (phatak) would be closed, affecting the market below the ROB. So, for usual market operations, we proposed that the level crossing gate below the ROB should not be closed. However, the Ministry of Railways said it could not be done 'as per their rules'… Therefore, we (the state government) decided to fully fund the ROB project.'
However, a senior Punjab BJP leader recently visited Dhuri and issued a statement to 'scuttle the project for his vested political interests', Mann said, adding 'such theatricals will not be tolerated, and the wise people of Punjab will teach a befitting lesson to such politicians'.
Notably, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu — who visited Dhuri a few weeks ago — had said the 'ROB project was already approved by the Railways, and the Punjab Chief Minister was just taking fake credit'.
Asserting he is in contact with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw regarding the ROB project, Mann said: 'We have sought permission from the Railways regarding the project work (with the funds released, and already in place). The work will commence soon.'
On the cards: sports stadium, UPSC coaching centre
Mann further announced that in Dhuri, the state government will build a modern sports stadium, and UPSC coaching centre (among the eight to be established across Punjab), at the earliest. The construction work of the Sangrur Medical College will also commence soon, he added.
Several initiatives for facilitating new industrial units and expanding the existing ones are also in place, Mann said. He further hailed initiatives like the Sadak Suraksha Force for 'road safety', and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna for 'cashless medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per family', among others.
On advancing paddy transplantation in the state, Mann said the Punjab government has appealed to the Centre to prepone the paddy procurement by 15 days i.e. from September 15 onwards, 'so that farmers can sell the crop smoothly'.
'This will enable farmers to bring moisture-free grains to mandis, thereby, ensuring a smooth procurement,' he said.
Public library inaugurated
Later in the day, Mann inaugurated a public library, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.59 crore, in his constituency Dhuri. The newly built two-storey building has a covered area of 3,710 square feet, and is equipped with WiFi and solar power digital analogs.
'This library has world-class books on contemporary literature and curriculum books, providing a rich learning experience,' Mann was quoted as saying in a statement. 'The state government is implementing a plan to establish modern libraries in every Assembly constituency…,' he said, adding this initiative is a major step towards promoting education, literacy, and community development in rural areas.
-With PTI inputs
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