MALERKOTLA: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today inaugurated a new five-storey government school building for girls in Malerkotla, declaring it as a special Independence Day gift for the daughters of Punjab. He said the ₹6.39-crore project was completed for ₹6.34 crore, saving ₹5.25 lakh from the government exchequer, while equipping students with modern facilities including libraries, smart classrooms, common rooms and washrooms.
The new building will bring quality education closer to girls from Malerkotla and surrounding villages, as Punjab’s education model delivers results with 882 government-school students clearing NEET and 361 clearing JEE, while more than 15,000 girls are being provided dedicated bus services to ensure that distance does not interrupt their education. At the same time, 118 Schools of Eminence are being established to expand quality education for children from poor families.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out that unlike previous governments that merely painted school buildings in the name of Smart Schools, the present government is building an education system that is producing results and has taken Punjab to No. 1 in the country in education. He also warned that the BJP would attempt to spread hatred in Punjab ahead of the elections, urging people not to fall for such provocations.
Speaking about Malerkotla’s historical significance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I am fortunate to be here in the historic town of Malerkotla, which is a land of unity and love. Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular can never repay thenoble gesture made by the Nawab of Malerkotla, who raised his voice against the execution of the Chotta Sahibzadas at Sirhind. The state government is duty-bound to develop this historic town, and I am honoured to dedicate this newly constructed school building here.”
Describing the new building as a gift for the daughters of Malerkotla, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This school is dedicated to our daughters on the 80th Independence Day. The five-storey building covers an area of 54,000 square feet and will have libraries, washrooms and all the modern facilities required for a good school. Students from Malerkotla and nearby villages will now be able to access quality education closer to their homes.”
Pointing to the performance of government-school students, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In 2021, only 80 government-school students had cleared the coveted NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) examination. In 2026, this number increased nearly 11 times to 882. This is the difference between our governance and those who never bothered about schools and education.”
Speaking about the changing importance of education, he said, “The time has come when people will be considered wealthy not by the money they possess or the showrooms they own, but by the educational qualifications of their children. We are working to ensure that children from ordinary families get the opportunity to fulfil their dreams.”
Speaking about parent participation in government schools, he said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab, Parent-Teacher Meetings were organised in government schools across the state, with more than 24 lakh parents participating. This reflects the Government’s commitment to involving parents in the education of their children.”
Highlighting healthcare reforms, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We have opened 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics across Punjab to revamp the healthcare system, and more than 5 crore people have benefited from these clinics. In another major initiative for the residents of this historic town, the state government will soon open Nawab Sher Khan Medical College in Malerkotla. Along with providing quality treatment, the medical college will generate employment opportunities for the youth of the area.”
Speaking about Punjab’s sporting legacy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Punjab is set to script a historic chapter in Indian hockey as the state is preparing to host the prestigious Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for the first time ever in October this year. This event will further strengthen Punjab’s identity as the cradle of Indian hockey and inspire a new generation of youth to take to sports. Punjab has always been the nursery of hockey, and hosting such an international tournament on our soil will inspire our youth to connect with the sports fields.”
Highlighting progress in agriculture and irrigation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Punjab is witnessing overall progress and prosperity in every sphere, benefiting every section of society. Unlike in the past, our farmers are now getting power during the daytime, which has reduced their ordeal. When I assumed office, only 22 percent of canal water was being used in the state. Today, this has increased to 88 percent.”
Talking about employment and investment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our government has provided more than 69,000 government jobs to the youth completely on the basis of merit, without any recommendation or corruption. Due to our concerted efforts, major industrial giants from across the world are making a beeline to invest in Punjab. Japanese steel giant Aichi has invested ₹1,100 crore in the state, while Tata Steel has established its second-biggest steel plant in Punjab near Ludhiana after Jamshedpur.”
Speaking about the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, the Chief Minister stated, “For the first time, we have launched the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which all women of Punjab above 18 years of age are eligible for benefits. SC women receive ₹1,500 per month, while every woman from Punjab receives ₹1,000 per month. The total target is more than one crore women, and 72.13 lakh beneficiaries are already receiving the benefits. The scheme is benefiting more than 97 percent of women, making it one of the most comprehensive women-centric social protection initiatives in the country.”
Speaking on the need to protect Punjab’s communal harmony, the Chief Minister said, “People must beware of fissiparous forces that want to divide Punjabis on communal lines to attain political power. Punjab is a very fertile land where every seed can grow, but the seed of hatred cannot grow here because our bond of communal harmony is very strong. The BJP’s strategy is to make people fight and riot because this is their bread and butter. But the people of Punjab will never allow these nefarious designs to succeed.”
Talking about the work being done by the state government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our Government is opening new schools and hospitals, constructing roads and making every effort for the well-being of society. Congress and Akalis, however, remain concerned only about themselves and their families and have little concern for Punjab and Punjabis.”
Taking potshots at the Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Badal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Sukhbir Singh Badal should stop living in a fool’s paradise. The days are gone when these parties used to play musical chairs and wait for their turn in power. They safeguarded each other’s interests while in power, due to which their misdeeds were never exposed.”
He affirmed, “Now the people have elected AAP, and the broom is cleansing the political system of Punjab. Sukhbir may never get another turn in power, but the time will certainly come when his entire family will be in jail for their misdeeds. The sins of the Badal family are unpardonable, and the people will never forgive them for the crimes committed against Punjab and its people.”
