Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi presents his government's report card of 70 days in office

Training guns at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for indulging in mudslinging, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said, “I am not 'Elanjeet' but a 'Vishwashjeet’ who implements decisions on the ground”. Claiming that though he liked criticism but criticism for the sake of mere criticism is not only unethical but undesirable.

Reiterating his government’s firm commitment to implement each decision in the right earnest, the CM categorically said that notwithstanding the time constraint his government would leave no stone unturned to resolve the remaining issues to cherish the peoples’ aspirations to their satisfaction.

Channi made the claims while presenting his government’s report card on the status of implementation of government decisions/announcements made during the past 72 days since he assumed the office. The CM claimed 60 decisions have been implemented in the letter and spirit.

“In view of my government’s superb performance, now I deserve to be known as ‘Vishwasjeet Singh’ instead of ‘Elanjeet Singh’ as earlier addressed by the opposition,” claimed Channi.

In a presentation on 60 decisions and their implementation in last 72 days, Channi said that several path-breaking decisions have been taken in the Power sector, Mera Ghar Mere Naam scheme, on proprietary rights within Lal Lakir, decision of one time settlement (OTS) of non-compoundable violations in buildings constructed in municipal areas, BASERA Scheme and many more public welfare schemes have been introduced across the state.

To ensure government jobs to Punjabi youth, the state government has decided to make Punjabi mandatory up to Class X level for all jobs under Punjab Government/Boards/etc.

On the School Education and Student Welfare front, CM Channi said school uniforms would be given to all the remaining students in government schools. To strictly enforce the implementation of Punjabi as compulsory subject for all students of Class I to X across the state, Channi said that Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008 has been passed in the Vidhan Sabha to enhance the penalties for contravening the provisions of the said Act.

Bringing an end to the sand mafia, CM Channi said that sand and gravel pit-head rates have been reduced from Rs.9/cubic feet to Rs. 5.5/cubic feet. No permission and royalty would now be required by farmers for digging up their own land up to 3 feet.

On Agriculture and Farmers Welfare front, CM Channi said the state government has decided to pay additional 10% compensation over and above to farm labourers in pink bollworm affected cotton crop in Malwa region.

Reiterating his government’s commitment for the welfare of employees, CM Channi said Dearness Allowance (DA) has been increased by 11% for employees and pensioners. 6^th Pay Commission is being implemented for pensioners retired on or after January 1, 2016. 6^th Pay Commission ensured a minimum 15% increase in salary of employees recruited after January 1, 2016.

Similarly, the government has banned re-employment after retirement to create more job opportunities for the youth. The state government has also decided to provide family pension to employees covered under NPS, in case of death in harness. Conceding the long pending demand of contractual employees, CM Channi said that the process to regularise the services of over 36000 such employees is already underway. Besides, recruitment of Group D/Class IV employees would be done on regular mode in future.

Assuring support and cooperation to trade and industry, CM Channi said his government has taken a slew of industry friendly initiatives including; abolition of Institutional Tax involving a relief of more than Rs. 250 crore, simplification of CLU procedure for industrial units, reduction of fixed charges of medium scale industries by 50%, OTS and Interest Relief for defaulters of PSIDC, PFC and PAIC and deemed approval in cases of expansion for MSMEs.