CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday made a fervent appeal to the newly recruited youth to become the foot soldiers of the state government’s crusade against the twin menaces of corruption and drugs, for the benefit of the common man.
Addressing a gathering while handing over appointment letters to 450 youth, the Chief Minister said that these young recruits have now become an integral part of the state government adding that it is their bounden duty to contribute wholeheartedly to the fight against drugs and corruption. He said that it is the need of the hour to eliminate these scourges from the state, for which the support of the youth is pivotal. Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted that campaigns like Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh have been launched for the well-being of the state’s youth, making it imperative for everyone to contribute to their success.
The Chief Minister stated that, to date, the state government has provided 54, 142 jobs to the youth over the past three years. He noted that today is a red-letter day for those who have secured employment in departments such as Housing, Agriculture, Water Resources, Sports and Youth Services, Local Government, Health and Family Welfare, School Education, Water Supply and Sanitation, and Excise and Taxation. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that the state government has surpassed the milestone of providing over 54, 000 government jobs through a transparent and merit-based process.
The Chief Minister said that the traditional political parties have blood on their hands, having looted the state’s wealth during their regimes. He said that donations, premiums, and similar forms of corruption were rampant under previous governments. In contrast, his administration has taken decisive steps to eliminate every form of corruption and to ensure the delivery of citizen-centric services, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister remarked that, ironically, those who assumed power after independence plundered the nation more mercilessly than the colonial rulers. He said the souls of martyrs must be pained to see the youth of Punjab lining up to go abroad and serve those very powers that were ousted during the freedom struggle. While Punjabis once led the charge against colonialism, today they were at the forefront of migration abroad, Bhagwant Singh Mann added.
Expressing pride, the Chief Minister said it is immensely satisfying that around 55, 000 youth have been selected for government posts purely on merit. This initiative, he said, is part of a broader strategy to reverse migration and prevent brain drain by opening new opportunities for young people within the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted with pleasure that many youth who once planned to move abroad are now preparing for competitive exams to secure government employment.
The Chief Minister emphasized that all appointments have been made based solely on merit, with candidates emerging successful after clearing rigorous competitive exams. From the beginning, he said, the government’s agenda has been to empower youth by providing them with secure jobs, thus making them equal partners in the socio-economic progress of the state and nation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this employment drive has helped dispel the negativity among youth, leading many to abandon their plans to move abroad.
The Chief Minister questioned why such steps were not taken over the past 75 years, adding that earlier governments failed to act and let the system deteriorate, forcing youth to look outside the country for opportunities. He further stated that Punjab, in addition to being the country’s food bowl, has always been the sword arm of India. Its people are globally recognized for their courage, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister urged the youth to carve out their own identity and strive to leave their mark in society, reminding them that the sky is the limit. Finally, Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the youth to remain grounded, even after achieving success, and to believe in the power of hard work—the sole key to success. He encouraged them to stay in Punjab, where immense opportunities for growth and prosperity await.
On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Ravjot Singh, Barinder Goyal, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, and others were also present.