Ludhiana, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday said the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was committed to building the “Rangla Punjab” envisioned by the martyrs of the freedom struggle, as he unfurled the Tricolor at the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Ludhiana.
Paying tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Udham Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Dr Diwan Singh Kalepani and other freedom fighters, Cheema said Punjabis had played a leading role in India's struggle for independence.
He said the state government was working according to the ideals of the martyrs and Dr BR Ambedkar. He cited the installation of portraits of the leaders in government offices and the setting up of a statue of Bhagat Singh at Mohali Airport as examples.
Cheema said the ex-gratia grant for the next of kin of martyred personnel had been increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, with Agniveers and martyred police personnel also covered. Monthly assistance for Dharmi Faujis had been raised to ₹12,000, while freedom fighter pensions were increased to ₹11,000. Their legal heirs have also been provided 1% reservation in government jobs.
Highlighting religious and cultural initiatives, he said ₹100 crore had been earmarked for the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, while a ₹37-crore Bani Research Center was under construction at Dera Sachkhand Ballan. He also mentioned 650 acres of garden, Shobha Yatras and awareness vans, observance of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, religious plays such as Humare Ram and the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme, under which more than four lakh pilgrims had visited sacred shrines.
On Punjab's finances, Cheema said GST revenue grew 20% during the first four months of the current financial year. In July, Punjab recorded 16.23% growth in SGST cash collections, which he described as the highest in the country. The allocation for the Rangla Punjab Development Scheme had also been increased to ₹1,170 crore for the current financial year.
On education, he said Punjab schools had introduced artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship curricula, while 118 Schools of Eminence were being developed. Teachers were being trained in Singapore and Finland, more than 15,000 students were receiving free bus services, private-school fee increases had been capped at 5%, and ITI seats had increased to 52,000. He also said Punjab students had secured top ranks in JEE and NEET examinations.
Cheema said more than 69,000 government jobs had been provided since April 2022. A dedicated bill had also been passed for outsourced employees, while workers' wages had increased by 15%.
In healthcare, he said the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana was providing free treatment of up to ₹10 lakh annually to 65 lakh families. More than six crore people had benefited from 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics, 356 hi-tech ambulances had been deployed and more than 11,000 classes were being conducted daily under CM Di Yogshala.
On women's welfare, he said the Mukh Mantri Mavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, backed by a ₹9,300-crore budget, provided women monthly assistance ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500. He also listed free bus travel for women, the Ashirwad Scheme, Meri Rasoi ration kits, the Farishtey Scheme, closure of 21 toll plazas and 300 units of free electricity, which he said had resulted in zero electricity bills for 90% of households.
In agriculture, Cheema said Punjab had fixed the country's highest State Agreed Price for sugarcane at ₹416 per quintal. Canal irrigation had expanded to 60.30 lakh acres, stubble-burning incidents had declined by 53%, and agricultural tubewell power remained free.
He said Punjab had received investment proposals worth ₹1.83 lakh crore and registered 13.53 lakh new MSMEs. The new Industrial Policy 2026 had been implemented, while the deadline under the One-Time Settlement scheme had been extended to September 30, 2026.
On law and order, Cheema said more than 75,000 drug peddlers had been arrested under the government's “War on Drugs” campaign and over 59,000 criminals had been detained under the “Assault on Gangsters” drive. The Road Safety Force had helped reduce accident fatalities by 53%, while the anti-corruption helpline had resulted in penalties against hundreds of corrupt individuals.
He said 45,000 km of roads had been constructed, 1,279 buses added to the state fleet and Airport Volvo services introduced. As many as 56 digital transport services had also been launched. Under Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar, 437 citizen services were being delivered at people's doorsteps, while Easy Registry and plot registration without NOC requirements had been introduced. He said piped water had reached 100% of rural households and 14,200 acres of government land had been reclaimed from illegal encroachments.
Cheema described the increase in the sports budget to ₹1,744 crore as a historic step. He said athletes had received cash awards and government jobs, traditional bullock-cart races at Kila Raipur had resumed after an 11-year gap and Punjab was hosting the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.
Ludhiana projects
Focusing on Ludhiana, Cheema said development in the industrial city had accelerated, with construction of the Halwara Airport terminal building and the launch of two daily flights between Halwara and Delhi.
He said the Schools of Eminence at Kidwai Nagar and Miller Ganj were providing high-standard education, while robotics laboratories at PAU School and School of Eminence Inderpuri were training students in coding and robotics.
The minister said 80 new Aam Aadmi Clinics were being established in Ludhiana, of which 37 were already functional and the remaining 43 were expected to open within a month. Civil Hospital Ludhiana had secured first rank in the Kayakalp assessment.
He said the MCH wing was adding 100 beds, a 75-bed CCU was under construction and District Hospital Ludhiana was expected to become a 500-bed facility by the end of the year. The cancer-care unit was already operational and providing chemotherapy.
More than five lakh women in Ludhiana had registered under the Mukh Mantri Mavan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, the minister said. He also highlighted Project Ummeed, Cafe Spice, assistive-aid camps and de-addiction drives as initiatives aimed at making the district more inclusive.
Sports infrastructure in Ludhiana was also being upgraded, including a high-end gym, renovation of Shastri Badminton Hall, construction of a weightlifting hall and renovation of a shooting range expected to be completed within a month. A modern indoor volleyball stadium was scheduled to open within four months.
Distinguished achievers and contributors from various fields were felicitated during the ceremony. Cheema also honored families of freedom fighters, police personnel, parade participants and outstanding achievers. Tricycles were distributed to persons with disabilities and sewing machines to women from underprivileged backgrounds.
On behalf of the Ludhiana district administration, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma formally honored Cheema.
The ceremony was attended by 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 and District President Jatinder Singh Khangura, among others.
A march past was held under the command of Parade Commander Harshpreet Singh, PPS, with contingents from the 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.