Mann government’s big announcement, sports budget will increase to free youth from drug addiction

Ludhiana: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, participating in the historic Kila Raipur Rural Olympics today, declared sports as the most lethal weapon to eliminate drugs. He said that the sports budget will be increased in the upcoming Punjab budget, due to which concrete efforts will be made to channelize the energy of the youth of Punjab in a constructive direction.

Bullock cart races, which were stopped during the tenure of previous governments, have now been restarted after amendments in the law, the Chief Minister said, adding that when children will sweat in the field and bring home medals, there will be no need for any anti-drug campaign.

Sports is the biggest weapon against drugs

Kila Raipur Describing the revival of sports as a reflection of Punjab’s rural culture and heritage, the Chief Minister described the new Sports Policy 2023 as an important step towards restoring the sports glory of the state, under which stadiums will be built in every village. He also announced that the eight-acre pond in Qila Raipur will be beautified and a modern library will be built in the village.

He said that we are closing the leakages of loot and embezzlement done by the previous governments, due to which public money is being saved and it is being spent directly on the people.

Increase in budget to promote sports

Addressing the gathering during Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sports are the most lethal weapon to eliminate drugs and the state government will increase the budget for sports in the upcoming budget of the state.” He said that the government is already promoting sports on a large scale.

He further said that this important area for the development of youth was ignored by the previous governments, our government has focused completely on it. He said that sports are being encouraged to channelize the immense energy of the youth in a positive direction.

Importance of new sports policy 2023

Highlighting the structural reforms, the Chief Minister said, "The new Sports Policy 2023 was launched to restore the sports glory of Punjab and now the sports budget will also be increased further." He further said that the government "khedda watan punjab diya" Three seasons of the show were successfully conducted in which three generations of the same family were seen participating. He said that due to the concerted efforts of the state government, Punjab is leading the country in sports today and the captains of the main Indian teams are from Punjab.

Role of sports in the war against drugs

Speaking about the Punjab government’s war against drugs, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Punjab government has launched a ‘war against drugs’ campaign in the state and sports is the biggest weapon in this war.” He further said that stadiums are being built in every village of Punjab. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the youth of the state are bringing glory to Punjab and the country by winning medals at national and international levels.

revival of bullock cart racing

Describing the Kila Raipur Games as a glimpse of rural culture and heritage, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of happiness that the Punjab government has revived this heritage.” Describing it as a historic moment, he said that these sports are famous globally and there was a demand for the resumption of bullock cart races for a long time. He said that we are becoming witnesses of historical moments. People love their bulls very much and raise them like their sons.

Bull racing resumes due to legal amendment

Explaining the legal arrangements for resumption of bullock cart races, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “On July 11, 2025, ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025’ was passed unanimously in the Punjab Assembly, paving the way for the resumption of bullock cart races.”

He further said that after the law was passed, a grand gathering was organized by the heritage sports lovers on July 29, 2025 in Mahima Singh Wala village of Ludhiana. He said that bullock cart races reflect our rural heritage and connect us with our culture and heritage.

Historical heritage of Fort Raipur

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, "Bulls are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the state and the first Sikh Guru Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent a long time farming with bulls at Kartarpur Sahib." He further said that when the law banning bullock cart races was implemented, it was a big blow to the lovers of traditional sports and the traditional sports heritage suffered huge losses. He said that this sports fair is a living picture of Punjabi culture.

Announcement of development projects

Referring to the demands of the residents of Kila Raipur, Bhagwant Singh Mann announced several development projects. He said the village’s Phirni road would be widened at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, the village co-operative society would be revived, the pond spread over eight acres of the village would be developed on the sewage model at a cost of Rs 95 lakh, the village library would be upgraded at a cost of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 2 crore would be spent on the construction of a six-a-side hockey astroturf.

Health insurance and other plans

Appealing to the people to enroll for the health insurance card of Rs 10 lakh under the health scheme, the Chief Minister said, "This is the biggest health reform program of the state." He further said that about 65 lakh families are being benefited from this important scheme made for the welfare of every section of the society.

Demand to change the name of Halwara Airport

The Chief Minister further said that the Punjab Government has demanded the Central Government to name Halwara Airport after the great martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha. He said that this would be a true tribute to the great hero who sacrificed his life to liberate the country from foreign imperialism.

On this occasion, senior AAP leader and party in-charge of Punjab Manish Sisodia, cabinet ministers Hardeep Singh Mundian and Tarunpreet Singh Saund and other personalities were present.