Punjab Government under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Committed to Building the ‘Rangla Punjab’ Envisioned by Martyrs: Harpal Singh Cheema

Ludhiana, August 15, 2026: On the occasion of the nation's 80th Independence Day, Punjab's Minister for Finance, Planning, Transport, Excise, and Taxation, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, unfurled the Tricolour and extended warm greetings to citizens. Remembering the unmatched sacrifices of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Dr. Diwan Singh Kalepani, and all freedom fighters, he stated that Punjabis led from the forefront in India's freedom struggle. He affirmed that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is following the ideals of the martyrs and Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which led to installing their portraits in government offices and setting up a statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Mohali Airport.
Finance Minister Cheema stated that the Punjab Government increased the ex-gratia grant for next-of-kin of martyred personnel from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, covering Agniveers and martyred police personnel as well. Monthly financial assistance for Dharmi Faujis was raised to ₹12,000, freedom fighter pensions were increased to ₹11,000 per month, and a 1% reservation was provided for their legal heirs in government jobs. Preserving religious heritage, ₹100 crore was allocated for the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, and a ₹37-crore Bani Research Centre is being constructed at Dera Sachkhand Ballan. In addition, 650 acres of bagichi’s, Shobha Yatras, and awareness vans have been launched. Major events also include marking the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, staging religious plays like Humare Ram, and enabling over 4 lakh pilgrims to visit sacred shrines under the ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme.’
Highlighting financial strengthening to support public services, he said Punjab registered a 20% growth in GST revenue during the first four months of the current financial year, and in July, the state achieved a 16.23% SGST cash growth—the highest in the country. He added that the budget for the ‘Rangla Punjab Development Scheme’ for this financial year has been increased to ₹1,170 crore.
On the education revolution, he stated: "Punjab schools have introduced AI and entrepreneurship curricula. 118 Schools of Eminence are being developed, teachers are receiving training in Singapore and Finland, over 15,000 students have access to free bus services, fee hikes in private schools have been capped at 5%, and ITI seats have expanded to 52,000. Students have also achieved top ranks in JEE and NEET exams."
Emphasizing employment generation for youth, Minister Cheema said over 69,000 government jobs have been provided since April 2022, a dedicated bill was passed for outsourced employees, and workers' wages saw a 15% increase.
Outlining initiatives in healthcare, the Finance Minister said: "Through the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana’, 65 lakh families receive free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh annually. Over 6 crore people have benefited from 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics, 356 hi-tech ambulances have been deployed, and more than 11,000 classes are conducted daily under ‘CM Di Yogshala’."
On public welfare and women's empowerment, Cheema noted: "Under the ‘Mukh Mantri Mavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ with a ₹9,300 crore budget, women receive ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 per month. Additionally, free bus travel for women, the Ashirwad Scheme, ‘Meri Rasoi’ ration kits, the Farishtey Scheme, the closure of 21 toll plazas saving commuters money, and 300 units of free power ensuring zero electricity bills for 90% of households have all been delivered."
On agriculture, the state’s primary economic driver, he said: "Punjab provided the country’s highest State Agreed Price for sugarcane at ₹416 per quintal, canal irrigation expanded to 60.30 lakh acres, stubble burning incidents fell by 53%, and agricultural tubewell power remains completely free."
In industry, the state received ₹1.83 lakh crore in investment proposals, registered 13.53 lakh new MSMEs, implemented the new Industrial Policy 2026, and extended the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme deadline up to September 30, 2026.
Regarding law and order, under the ‘War on Drugs’, over 75,000 drug peddlers were arrested, and more than 59,000 criminals were detained under ‘Assault on Gangsters’. The Road Safety Force helped reduce accident fatalities by 53%. The anti-corruption helpline has also led to penalties for hundreds of corrupt individuals.
The Minister highlighted the construction of 45,000 km of roads, adding 1,279 new buses to the state fleet, Airport Volvo services, and launching 56 digital transport services. Administrative reforms include 437 doorstep citizen services under ‘Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar’, Easy Registry, plot registry without NOC requirements, piped water access to 100% of rural homes, and reclaiming 14,200 acres of government land from illegal encroachments.
Terming the hike in the sports budget to ₹1,744 crore a historic step, he said: "Cash rewards and jobs were provided to athletes, the traditional bullock cart races at Kila Raipur resumed after 11 years, and Punjab is hosting the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy."
Speaking on Ludhiana district, Cheema said development in the industrial city gained momentum this year with the construction of the Halwara Airport terminal building and the launch of 2 daily flights between Halwara and Delhi. He noted: "School of Eminence Kidwai Nagar and School of Eminence Miller Ganj are providing high-standard, future-ready education to students from all backgrounds. Robotics labs at PAU School and School of Eminence Inderpuri are training students in coding and robotics, sharpening their critical thinking and problem-solving skills."
The Finance Minister added that 80 new Aam Aadmi Clinics are being established in Ludhiana, with 37 already functional and the remaining 43 opening within a month. Civil Hospital Ludhiana secured the 1st rank in the Kayakalp assessment. The MCH wing is adding 100 beds, a CCU with 75 beds is under construction, and District Hospital Ludhiana is on track to become a 500-bed facility by the end of the year. The cancer care unit is operational and offering chemotherapy.
In public welfare programs, Ludhiana led the state with over 5 lakh women registering under the ‘Mukh Mantri Mavan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’. Programs like Project Ummeed, Cafe Spice, assistive aid camps, and de-addiction drives are making Ludhiana an inclusive model of development. Sports infrastructure in the city has seen upgrades including a high-end gym, renovation of Shastri Badminton Hall, construction of a weightlifting hall, a shooting range revamp completing in 1 month, and a modern indoor volleyball stadium opening within 4 months.
Distinguished contributors across various sectors were honored during the ceremony.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included MLAs Madan Lal Bagga, Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Daljit Singh Grewal, Ashok Parashar Pappi, and Kulwant Singh Sidhu; Mayor Inderjit Kaur; Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Parashar; Deputy Mayor Prince Johar; Chairman Navjot Singh Jarg; Chairman Tejpal Singh Gill; District and Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa; Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain; Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma; Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar; District President Jatinder Singh Khangura, among others.

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 A march past was held under the command of Parade Commander Harshpreet Singh, PPS, featuring contingents from Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC Scouts, and other units.
Government school students presented a Mass PT drill, followed by patriotic cultural performances by students from various schools.
 Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema felicitated freedom fighter families, police personnel, and parade participants, along with outstanding achievers in diverse fields. He distributed tricycles to persons with disabilities and sewing machines to women from underprivileged backgrounds.
 On behalf of the District Administration Ludhiana, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma formally honored Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema at the event.