In a big bonanza to the people of the state ahead of Independence Day, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday dedicated 76 new Aam Aadmi Clinics to the people to commemorate the 76th year of Indian freedom.

Congratulating the CM and people of Punjab for this milestone, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that this is a historic initiative for welfare of people. He said that Punjab will not stop as the people of state have elected Bhagwant Mann government for a better future.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering here after dedicating the clinics today, the chief minister said that this is the dawn of a new era in health revolution to provide quality health services to people at their doorsteps. He said that besides offering free medicines to people, these clinics are also providing service of 41 free clinical tests. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is aimed at ensuring longevity of the life of the people of the state besides focusing on quality health.

The CM bemoaned that while his predecessors have never paid attention towards the health of the common man, his government is laying major thrust on ensuring quality treatment to people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that on their part these leaders got to get their treatment done from foreign shores but the common people were left in lurch without quality treatment. He said that these leaders just treated the people as mere vote banks and never bothered about the life and health of people.

The CM said that due to concerted efforts of the state government Punjab is ushering a new era of health revolution. He said that quality cancer treatment is now available in the state due to which the people no longer have to visit the other states for treatment. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that even the Cancer express train that used to run from state, jam packed, to Bikaner Cancer Hospital is now plying empty because people are getting the treatment here in state.

The Chief Minister said that in the coming days the shortage of the officers in the district will be overcome by posting the officers from headquarters in the field. He said that these officers will be allotted work in the districts so as to ensure the well being of the public. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he has already posted those officers as Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police, who are ever ready to work for the well being of masses.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is land of saints, seers, prophets and martyrs due to which it has huge potential in terms of business and trade. He said that anything can be sown on the fertile land of the state except the seeds of hatred and animosity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is epitome of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace due to which it has emerged as the most favored investment destination across the country.

The Chief Minister said that to check the fatality rate due to road accidents in the state on one hand and to streamline the movement of traffic on the roads of the state on the other, the state government has launched Sadak Surakhya Force. He said that the first of its kind specialized force will act as a pivotal to save several precious lives that are lost in road accidents daily in Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this force will be entrusted with the task of checking rash driving, streamlining vehicular movement on roads and others to check the road accidents adding that it will reduce the burden on cops deployed in Police stations.

The Chief Minister said that in the first phase a force of 1300 cops will be recruited for this specialized force. Inspecting the vehicles to be launched for the force, he said that initially 144 vehicles will be launched out of 116 will be Isuzu vehicles that will be deployed after every 30 kilometres and 28 will be SUVs that will be equipped with speed radars. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the vehicles will also have a complete medical kit for providing emergency treatment to any person in need.

The Chief Minister further said that due to concerted efforts of the state government Punjab is heading towards being a corruption free state. He said that strict action has already been taken against corruption with the support of the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is adopting a zero tolerance policy against corruption.

The Chief Minister also announced that the state government has formulated a new policy to launch crackdown against drugs in the state. He said that besides channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in positive direction through the medium of sports, the state government is vehemently making efforts to check the supply line of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann the results of this anti-drug crusade will be visible to the masses every soon as besides incentivizing the drug free villages every effort will be made to rehabilitate the drug victims.

The Chief Minister also announced that efforts will be made to depoliticize the elections of village Sarpanchs. He said that the villages electing their Sarpanchs unanimously will be given a number of grants for the development of the villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the motive is to ensure that no violence takes place in the panchayat elections and a congenial atmosphere is maintained in the villages.

Earlier, the Health Minister Punjab Dr. Balbir Singh welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries to the occasion.