Chandigarh: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha opened its doors to school students on Thursday (October 22), giving them an opportunity to see how the state legislature works and how decisions affecting their lives are made.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann used the interaction with students from Guru Gobind Singh International School, Faridkot, to encourage them to pursue their ambitions and assure them that government jobs in the state should be awarded on merit rather than influence or recommendations. During the visit, the chief minister explained the role of the Vidhan Sabha in making laws, debating bills and approving the state budget. He also recalled his interest in parliamentary proceedings from childhood.
The chief minister also informed the students about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, which provides eligible families with health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Addressing the students, CM Mann described young people as Punjab’s greatest strength and said that they needed opportunities, encouragement and a supportive environment to build their future. He said students should understand how democratic institutions function and how elected representatives are accountable to the public. During his tenure as a member of Parliament, he said, he had invited students to Parliament so they could observe democratic institutions at work. Mann said that his government wanted young people to have a fair chance of securing public employment through their abilities and hard work. “My government is committed to building a Punjab where young people can fulfil their aspirations through talent and hard work rather than influence or recommendations,” he said. He said that the programme was intended to improve access to treatment and ease the financial burden of medical care. The chief minister said that the government was working to improve access to essential services and the quality of life across Punjab.
