Faridkot 15 Aug 2025 : Extending Independence Day greetings, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a big gift for the people of Punjab. Addressing the public after the national flag hoisting ceremony at the state-level function in Faridkot, he said that 80% of the people who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle were from Punjab. The spirit of sacrificing life for the country comes from our Gurus. It is because of the great sacrifices of the martyrs that the country is free today.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab bore the greatest pain of Partition. Today, Punjab is on the path of progress. He stated that in his one-and-a-half-year tenure, the Punjab government has achieved something that never happened after Independence. Every family in Punjab will get health insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh, effective from October 2. No forms will need to be filled, no complicated procedures—people will just need to carry their Aadhaar card and voter card. He added that 552 private and all government hospitals are already part of the scheme, and the process of adding 500 more hospitals is underway. If anyone in the family falls ill, the Punjab government will bear all medical expenses. Everyone will be covered under this scheme—there is no income limit, no special category requirement—only Punjab citizenship is needed. Nearly 3 crore people of Punjab will benefit from this scheme.
Additionally, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are operating, treating around 70,000 people daily. Another 200 clinics are being opened.
The Chief Minister further said that Schools of Eminence are being established, and students have started delivering results within three years. He proudly shared that in the Government of India’s National Achievement Survey 2017, Punjab was ranked 29th, but in 2025, it holds the first position. Punjab has even surpassed Kerala, which previously ranked first. In class 8th, 10th, and 12th results, girls have consistently secured top positions every year. Faridkot’s talented student Navjot Kaur ranked first in the entire state in Class 8, Aksnoor from Faridkot secured first position in Class 10, and Daljeet Kaur from the same district achieved second position in Class 12.
Summary:
On Independence Day, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced a significant initiative, calling it a gift to the people, aimed at improving welfare and development across the state.