Chandigarh, March 29 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday reached out to farmers, saying they are “always welcome” for talks with the government, recognizing their role in shaping policy. This comes weeks after Mann walked out of a meeting with Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders when they refused to cancel their March 5 protest.
Speaking at Ghanauri Kalan in Dhuri, where he also serves as MLA, Mann confirmed he would attend a meeting with farmers on May 4 in Chandigarh to hear their concerns “with due respect.”
The CM made the remarks during his visit to the School of Eminence in Dhuri, accompanied by AAP Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia. Their visit coincided with a mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM), where Mann praised Punjab’s educational progress under his government.
Sisodia lauded the government’s efforts to make higher education accessible, citing the success of a local shopkeeper’s son who is set to join an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). “This is Badalda (Changing) Punjab,” he said, commending the improved coordination between teachers and students.
Mann highlighted that Punjab’s education budget has been raised to ₹17,000 crore for the first time. He also noted the healthcare sector’s progress with 881 mohalla clinics operating across the state.
