Punjab Government Is Fulfilling Long-Standing Wishes Of Elderly & Economically Weaker Devotees: Harpal Singh Cheema

Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly criticised Congress MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi for questioning the Punjab Government’s expenditure on religious and cultural programmes, saying the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is making judicious use of public funds to preserve Punjab’s rich religious, cultural and spiritual heritage and connect the younger generation with the teachings of its Gurus and saints.

What did Harpal Singh Cheema say about Bhagwant Mann government?

In a video message, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Bhagwant Mann government is committed to using public funds meaningfully for initiatives that preserve the state’s heritage and strengthen the younger generation’s connection with its religious and cultural traditions. We are not misusing public money; we are making good use of it by connecting our younger generation with our heritage and with what our Gurus and saints taught us through Gurbani and spiritual teachings.”

The Finance Minister said the Bhagwant Mann government had commemorated the 350th ‘Shaheedi Diwas’ of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib with utmost devotion and reverence. The programmes were aimed at ensuring that the younger generation understood the supreme sacrifice and message of the ninth Sikh Guru and remained connected with Punjab’s glorious religious heritage.

Similarly, he said, “The 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj is being celebrated across Punjab with great devotion and reverence.”

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Programmes such as Hamare Ram are also aimed at respecting people’s religious sentiments while introducing children and young people to the country’s rich cultural heritage.”

What did the finance minister say about the Punjab Government’s pilgrimage initiatives?

The Finance Minister also highlighted the Punjab Government’s pilgrimage initiatives, saying these were helping elderly and economically weaker devotees fulfil their long-standing wishes of visiting important religious sites. “Many elderly people and financially disadvantaged families have deep desires to undertake such pilgrimages but are unable to do so due to financial constraints or age. The Punjab Government is fulfilling those wishes and giving people an opportunity to visit the religious places they have long wanted to see,” he said.

Taking potshots at the Congress, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said opposition to such people-centric initiatives reflected the party’s disconnect with the aspirations and sentiments of ordinary Punjabis. “Congress leaders are choosing to criticise initiatives that fulfilled people’s wishes and strengthened their connection with their faith and heritage instead of appreciating them,” he added.

“Opposing such people-centric initiatives shows the poor mentality of the Congress and its disconnect with the aspirations and sentiments of ordinary Punjabis. Instead of appreciating these initiatives, Congress leaders are choosing to criticise them for political reasons,” he said.

The Finance Minister asserted that the Punjab Government would continue to invest in initiatives that strengthen the connection between the younger generation and Punjab’s glorious religious and cultural heritage. “The Bhagwant Mann government would also continue to respect the faith, traditions and sentiments of people belonging to all communities while promoting the state’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy,” he added.