Chandigarh, April 3: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced on Friday that his administration has provided a record 65,264 government jobs within its first four years, a feat he described as unprecedented in Punjab’s history. Presenting a comprehensive report card under the “Shandaar Chaar Saal” series, the Chief Minister stated that the recruitment drive prioritized merit and eliminated the previous culture of bribery and favoritism.
The employment figures span several critical sectors, including 16,308 roles in education, 12,966 in the police force, and over 8,000 in the power department. To assist those who had lost eligibility due to delayed recruitment under previous regimes, the government implemented a five-year age relaxation. The Chief Minister affirmed that these jobs were granted to common citizens based solely on eligibility, with no instances of paper leaks or legal challenges.
“Punjab is emerging as a new digital hub which has brought transparency in its functioning,” Chief Minister Mann stated. He noted that the shift toward digital governance has not only streamlined services but also curbed the “brain drain” by providing high-quality local opportunities for the youth.
The report also highlighted the success of “Digital Punjab,” noting that Sewa Kendras now serve approximately 30 million people monthly. Through the “Bhagwant Mann Tuhade Dwar” initiative, 437 services are now accessible from home via a dedicated helpline. The Chief Minister maintained that the pendency rate for government services has plummeted from 14 percent to just 0.52 percent.
Further reforms were detailed in the transport and revenue sectors, including the introduction of “Faceless RTO” services and an online property registration system. Regarding anti-corruption efforts, the Chief Minister affirmed that the state’s dedicated action line has led to 275 FIRs and the arrest of over 300 individuals, including high-ranking officials.
