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Dhuri: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal, saying that while his government is working relentlessly to prepare Punjab’s youth for future-ready careers as doctors and engineers, the Akalis want to drag them back to the “Mesozoic or dinosaur era.”
Interacting with mediapersons here, Mann said the AAP government is investing in education, skills and opportunities so that Punjabi youth can compete globally. In contrast, he alleged, the Akali Dal—under whose rule drugs spread across Punjab—now wants to reverse progress and push the state backwards.
In a lighter vein, the Chief Minister quipped that the Akalis’ “dinosaur” exists only as a plastic toy filled with air and would soon be deflated by the people of Punjab.
Highlighting the education reforms, Mann said the participation of 23.3 lakh parents in the recent mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) in government schools was a historic moment and a clear reflection of the ongoing education revolution in the state. He noted that while such PTMs were once limited to private schools, their successful implementation in government schools marked a paradigm shift to improve student outcomes.
Responding to a query on protests during a Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand, the Chief Minister said the Government of India should raise the matter with the New Zealand authorities. He added that migration has become a global issue and reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of Punjabis worldwide.
Later, Mann held a meeting with the panchayats of the Dhuri Assembly constituency to review the progress of development works. He urged elected representatives to remain accessible to villagers, understand grassroots issues and ensure timely resolution. Stressing the optimal use of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), he said it should be leveraged for both employment generation and quality development work.
The Chief Minister exhorted sarpanches, panchayats, and newly elected members of the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad to rise above party lines and focus solely on development. He reiterated that the government’s objective is to provide villages with facilities on par with those in cities.
Mann also emphasised the need to prioritise the completion of community centres and assured panchayats that there would be no shortage of funds. He announced that every village would be connected through mini-bus services, with permits issued to local youth.
Earlier, congratulating newly elected Zila Parishad and Block Committee members, the Chief Minister informed that their oath-taking ceremony would be held in the first week of January, followed by training sessions at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) to familiarise them with their roles and responsibilities.
Expressing satisfaction with the pace of development, Mann said that, for the first time, development work is underway in every village across Punjab—a positive sign of grassroots transformation.
