Chandigarh, Aug 22 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday alleged that his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann is merely passing time by cracking jokes.
Saini said that the people of Punjab have made up their minds to form a BJP government in the state after the next Assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held early next year.
Saini asked Mann to explain what happened to the promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to women and the youth during the last Assembly elections.
"AAP had promised to provide Rs 1,000 every month to women, and nearly five years of the government's tenure have passed, with the next elections now around the corner. Yet, the Punjab chief minister is still asking women from the stage whether he should deposit one month's money, two months' money or three months' money into their account.
"What else can this be if not a joke?" Saini said while addressing a gathering of women at the Teej festival organised in the Ghanaur town of Punjab's Patiala district.
Saini alleged that due to the poor law-and-order situation, industries are migrating from Punjab, creating an employment crisis for the youth, and frustrated youngsters are increasingly falling into the trap of drug addiction.
Former Haryana minister Aseem Goel and Teej festival convenor Vikas Sharma were also present on the occasion.
Saini alleged that during the last election, AAP managed to secure votes by "misleading" the people of Punjab, but this time they are fully aware.
This time, women are ready to bring about a change in Punjab and, inspired by the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they will form a BJP government in Punjab and once again make it a happy and prosperous state. The youth of Punjab have also made up their minds to make a BJP government in the state, he said.
Saini said that before the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, the BJP had promised women a monthly assistance of Rs 2,100 and fulfilled this promise immediately after forming the government.
The government made a provision of Rs 5,000 crore for the scheme in its very first budget, and 10 lakh women are now receiving Rs 2,100 every month. So far, Rs 2,000 crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of women under the scheme, he said.
Similarly, the government is providing LPG cylinders at Rs 500 to families with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh. To strengthen women running Self-Help Groups, financial assistance of up to Rs 20 lakh is being provided, he said.
CM Saini said that all these schemes would also be implemented for the people of Punjab after a BJP government is formed in the state.
Like Haryana, all crops of Punjab farmers will also be procured at MSP, while the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana will be implemented for potatoes and other vegetables and fruits, he reiterated.
