Punjab Minister for Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture, Mr Mohinder Bhagat, reiterated the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government’s unwavering commitment towards better healthcare, quality education, employment opportunities, and a drug-free Punjab, while addressing the 77th Republic Day celebrations in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district.
The Minister unfurled the National Flag at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh Government College, Phase-6, Mohali, and paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, and the valiant armed forces for safeguarding the unity and integrity of the nation.
Mr Bhagat said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is the first in the country to enhance the ex-gratia grant for martyrs from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, applicable even to Agniveers attaining martyrdom in the line of duty. He added that the monthly pension for freedom fighters has been increased to Rs 11,000, along with one percent reservation in government jobs for their dependents.
Highlighting the recently launched healthcare reforms, the Minister said that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, a health guarantee scheme, provides cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per family in both government and empanelled private hospitals. As many as 2,356 medical packages have been included to ensure comprehensive healthcare for all residents.
He said that 63,000 government jobs have been provided purely on merit in State by the Punjab Government.Reaffirming the government’s resolve to make Punjab drug-free and gangster-free, Mr Bhagat said that a decisive crackdown is underway, resulting in around 45,000 drug smugglers being sent to jail.
He recalled that Punjab once ranked among the top states in development indices and stated that sustained efforts are being made to restore Punjab’s stature through people-friendly policies and governance.The Minister informed that the Progressive Punjab Investment Summit 2026 will be organised in Mohali from March 13 to 15, attracting industrialists from India and abroad to boost economic growth and employment.
Sharing fiscal achievements, he said that in the last three and a half years, the state has generated Rs 36,948 crore from excise, Rs 81,417 crore from GST, and Rs 19,016 crore from stamp duty and registration, marking a substantial increase over previous regimes.In the horticulture sector, he said that the cultivated area has expanded to 5.91 lakh hectares, giving a major push to horticultural development in the state.
He added that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is steadfast in his vision of creating a vibrant and prosperous “Rangla Punjab.”The celebrations featured a grand march past led by DSP City-1 Prithvi Singh Chahal, participation by NCC cadets, a cultural bonanza by school students, demonstrations under CM Di Yogshala promoting a healthy lifestyle, and tableaux depicting welfare schemes.
The District Red Cross Society distributed 13 sewing machines to needy beneficiaries, and the Minister felicitated five Veer Naris on the occasion. The Minister also conferred awards upon 81 individuals for their meritorious and exemplary services on the occasion.
Prominent dignitaries present included Dr Sunny Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board; Narinder Singh Shergill, Chairman, Milkfed; Parminder Pal Singh, Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board; and Ms Prabhjot Kaur, Chairperson, District Planning Committee.
Senior police and administrative officers present included Special DGP (Traffic) A.S. Rai, Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, MC Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh, SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Surabhi Prashar, and other officials.