Chandigarh, July 31: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday handed over appointment letters to 942 forest department employees whose services have been regularised, declaring it a major step toward correcting past neglect and ensuring employee welfare.
Addressing a gathering, Mann said the decision marks the end of years of uncertainty for these workers who had served the government in contractual roles. “From today onwards, the word ‘contractual’ will be forever removed from before your names. You gave your precious years to the government, and now your rights are being restored,” he said.
Mann asserted that his government overcame legal and administrative hurdles to regularise their services, a move he described as personally satisfying and constitutionally aligned. “This is not charity; this is your right. The Constitution speaks of the well-being of all, and that’s exactly what we are committed to,” he added.
Taking aim at previous administrations, the Chief Minister accused them of deceiving people with last-minute benefits. “Successive governments merely befooled people with incentives in the final year of their tenure. We, on the other hand, began working for public welfare from day one,” he said.
He further alleged that earlier regimes had looted the state exchequer for the benefit of a few. “Those in power before us cared more about their families than the people. They plundered Punjab’s wealth while ignoring the basic needs of common citizens,” Mann charged.
Highlighting his administration’s focus areas, Mann listed health, education, power, water, and infrastructure as the top five priorities. He claimed no stone is being left unturned to ensure Punjab’s holistic development and prosperity.
“The people of Punjab have placed their trust in me, and I consider that a blessing. I will continue working tirelessly to uphold this faith,” the Chief Minister said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to long-term structural reforms rather than short-term optics.
The move to regularise forest department employees is seen as part of the broader effort by the AAP government to secure labor rights and strengthen governance in key sectors.
