Patiala : Punjab minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Oct 7 said chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had proved himself as a “true son of Punjab” through welfare initiatives undertaken during the past four-and-a-half years.




Speaking at the 58th annual three-day Tiwana Sports Mela at Dittupur Jattan near Bhadson in Patiala, Sond alleged that Opposition parties, unable to accept Mann’s popularity, were resorting to “cheap tactics” to malign him.




He claimed those criticising the chief minister had, during their tenure, pushed Punjab’s youth towards drugs and failed to take concrete steps for farmers’ welfare.




Encouraging kabaddi players at the event, Sond said Punjab govt had earmarked Rs 1,500 crore for 3,100 sports grounds across the state. He said the grounds and ‘ Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan ’ initiative were providing youngsters opportunities to participate in sports and stay away from drugs.




Sond said govt was working to protect Punjab’s water resources and ensure canal water reached every field to safeguard agriculture and prevent fertile land from turning barren. It was also seeking to provide better opportunities to youngsters within the state, he added.




He said the ‘ Yudh Nasheyan Virudh ’ campaign was yielding positive results and urged people to remain vigilant against what he described as Opposition “propaganda”.