Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences to be built in Hoshiarpur, to be completed in 2 years: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
HOSHIARPUR(The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday rolled out a major healthcare and infrastructure push in Hoshiarpur, laying the foundation for a ₹268 crore medical college and 300-bed hospital while announcing the establishment of the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences to be completed within two years. In a gathering in Sham Chaurasi, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Government is firmly committed to delivering world-class healthcare at people’s doorsteps, detailing a comprehensive ecosystem that will train 100 MBBS doctors annually and provide advanced facilities including MRI, CT scan, specialised surgeries and modern treatment.
Strengthening last-mile healthcare delivery, he also laid the foundation stone of a ₹9.18 crore Community Health Centre to benefit over 40 villages, alongside seven additional Health and Wellness Centres in the constituency. Expanding the development push, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further initiated the ₹99 crore Balachaur–Garhshankar–Hoshiarpur–Dasuya road project, a 105 km corridor set to enhance connectivity between Chandigarh, Pathankot and Jammu & Kashmir, reduce travel time between Jammu and Delhi, and facilitate smoother access for devotees travelling to Anandpur Sahib, Mata Naina Devi and Mata Jwala Ji.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of several key projects in the Sham Chaurasi assembly segment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For more than 70 long years in the post-independence era the traditional opposition parties have mercilessly looted the state. Due to regressive and divisive policies of these parties the state has lagged behind in the pace of development due to which the people had suffered. However, in the last four years holistic development of the state has been ensured and for the first time the state government has fulfilled all the promises made with people in such a short span.”
The Chief Minister stated, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that development of the state has been put on the right track and now the Punjab Government is enhancing its pace with every passing day. The state government has filled the gap of 70 years and now concerted efforts are being made to carve out a Rangla Punjab. The AAP government is the first one in the country to implement the People’s Manifesto as all the genuine demands raised by the people are being translated into works.”
Highlighting major development initiatives, he added, “Today development works worth ₹385 crore have been launched at Sham Chaurasi, which will give impetus to the progress and prosperity of the region.” He added, “A Medical College and 300 bedded Hospital will come at Hoshiarpur at a cost of ₹268 crore, which will be a big bonanza for the general public. It will go a long way in imparting quality health services to the people besides emerging the state as a hub of medical education.”
Targeting opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “Opposition parties are hatching conspiracies to defame me as they are envious of the works being done by the state government for the well being of the masses. These leaders are hand in glove with each other and play the game of musical chairs to secure the interests of each other while in power. However, the AAP government has upset their applecart by ousting them from power thereby fulfilling the aspirations of the common people.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out, “Captain Amarinder Singh and Parkash Singh Badal never resided in the official residences meant for the Chief Ministers in Chandigarh during their tenure. Rather, these leaders lived in their own palatial houses that have been constructed in Chandigarh as they didn’t feel comfortable in the government houses. Akalis got five opportunities to govern the state but instead of serving the people they mercilessly plundered the people and state.”
He further said, “Not only this the Akalis betrayed the people by using religion too for securing their vested interests. The Jathedars for the supreme Takhts were chosen from the envelopes given by the Akali leaders. The former Deputy Chief Minister claims that massive development of the state took place during their regime but turns blind eye towards Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and others where sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib took place and innocents were killed.”
Taking a jibe at the Akali Dal's ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “The real name of this gimmick of Akali Dal is Parivar Bachao Yatra. After looting the state for 15 years, from whom are they trying to save the state? Akalis have plundered the state mercilessly besides bruising the psyche of Punjabis emotionally and patronizing several mafias in the state. The Akali leadership can never be forgiven as it was responsible for the genocide of several generations of the state as drug trade was patronized by them and bloomed during their long era of misrule.”
Coming down heavily on the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “These are opportunist leaders who change their colors and their stance, like a chameleon, as per their convenience and vested political interests. Everyone knows that this clan was a stooge of Britishers and was conferred the title of Sir by them for hobnobbing against the patriots who fought for the country. The family had felicitated General Dyer, the perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, by hosting a dinner for him after this heinous incident.”
He added, “This act had exposed their anti-national and anti-Punjab mindset and character. This clan had betrayed millions of freedom fighters, who were up in arms against the Britishers. Not only this the family also ensured that General Dyer was also bestowed siropa and forgiveness at Golden Temple. It is even more shocking that Jathedar Arood Singh, the one who had granted the siropa, was the maternal grandfather of former Lok Sabha MP Simarjit Singh Mann.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “History cannot be wiped out and the dubious characters of Badal’s ancestors are etched on the pages of history. The hands of this family are drenched with the blood of the patriots and the role of these traitors in backstabbing the nationalists can never be forgotten. I have ample proof regarding how these people looted the state and its people.”
Taking on opposition leaders further, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sukhbir Badal is not aware about the ground realities as throughout his life he has lived in a secured environment with luxuries and opulence. Sukhbir Singh Badal is a convent educated political leader of Punjab who is not aware of the basic topography of the state but wants to attain political power in Punjab. Leaving everything aside, the former Deputy Chief Minister cannot even differentiate the basic crops of the state as he has scant knowledge about the basic issues.”
He added, “Captain Amarinder Singh and his family has a dubious track record of deceiving Punjab by standing by every force inimical to the state whether they were Mughals, Britishers or now BJP. When the people of the state had elected him as Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh confined himself to the palace only and visited the state only 10 times. Those who proclaimed to be savior of the waters of the state had destroyed water and those who projected themselves as sewadars of bani failed to check desecration.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Congress and Akali Dal were the termite that ruined the state after independence due to which Punjab lagged behind in the path of progress. Leaders of these parties never speak against each other but they spit venom against me daily because I have exposed them before people. These are traitors who have never been loyal to the state and its people.”
Targeting Congress, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In Congress every leader is aspiring to become the head of the state. They have more CMs rather than ordinary workers to work in the polls. Due to this their top leader has snubbed these leaders in full public view during a recently concluded rally. Congress is a divided house that will collapse due to their infighting.”
He further said, “It is a pity that the top Congress leaders who come to unite these leaders are not even aware how to pronounce their names. It is ironic that from this stage talks are being made on education, health, power, agriculture and other sectors whereas on the stages of other parties claims are being made for grabbing power. These opportunist leaders are baffled as people are not giving them any response and their agenda is confined to the welfare of their families rather than that of people.”
Emphasising governance priorities, the Chief Minister Mann stated, “No freebie or concession cards can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the state but education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious circle by raising their standard of living. Education is the light that illuminates the world by dispelling the darkness and the state government is laying special thrust on it. The government is making strenuous efforts to transform government schools due to which students are excelling in every sphere.”
On agriculture and power, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of the state more than eight hours of uninterrupted power has been supplied to farm tube wells during paddy season. Farmers are now receiving electricity during the daytime for irrigation for the first time, which has transformed their lives. The state government is judiciously utilizing every single penny of the state exchequer for the well being of the people.”
Highlighting welfare measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna has been launched under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh and over 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards. 1.65 lakh people have received free treatment under this scheme and I urge people to take maximum benefit of these cards.”
He added, “The tax money of people belongs to the state and it is being spent on their welfare. People’s money is coming back to people through development, schools, hospitals and roads. The state government has provided free electricity to 90% households, jobs to over 65,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh daily, and is building infrastructure. A flagship program like Yudh Nashean Virudh has broken the backbone of drugs in the state.”
Announcing further schemes, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna every woman will be entitled for ₹1,000 per month and ₹1,500 per month for women belonging to Scheduled Castes. Funds will be directly transferred to bank accounts and women already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible. 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit and the state government has allotted ₹9,300 crore in the budget.”
Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot, Lok Sabha MLA Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal and others were also present on the occasion.