2023 brings new hopes, new challenges for Mann government
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
2023 brings in new challenges, new hopes for the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab govt.
In 2022 Bhagwant Mann led aam admi party won the state assembly elections with thumping margin. In the first nine months Mann government had taken many historic decisions be it 600 units of free electricity, irrespective of any household category, opening of aam admi clinics, action against its own health minister, tackling of law and order situation, controlling corruption in government offices, generating revenue with the help of technology, granting seventh pay commission to the teaching faculty of higher education department , restarting the old pension scheme for Punjab government employees etc.
But, more challenges are ready to welcome the Mann government in 2023. The state government first and foremost major challenge is to break the ice with the striking truck operators staging dharna at gateway of Punjab-Shambhu border on the Delhi-Amritsar National highway which has created chaos on the national highway. Also dharna at Zira has snowballed into a major challenge for the state government with protesters becoming more adamant on their stance, ‘Sadi ekko mang, factory band’ (We have only one demand, that is closure of the ethanol plant).
Next major challenge is to get the relief from high court on mining issue. On January 4, when court opens after winter vacation, will hear the pending state’s plea about shortage of sand and other mining minerals. The government is waiting for the high court relief as Bhagwant Mann led AAP government had promised the fill the government’s empty coffer with revenue generation from legal mining. But due to ban on the mining, the govt fails to generate required revenue from the department.
Punjab’s prestige is on stakes as the state has been selected to hold two sessions of prestigious G20 Summit in the year 2023.
Many MLAs are trying to get berth in the upcoming cabinet expansion, which is due as of now. The 10 cabinet ministers took oath on 19 March. In May, health minister Vijay Singla was removed from cabinet, after corruption charges were raised against him. Later 5 MLAs were inducted into the cabinet and their swearing in ceremony took place on 4 July 2022. At present Punjab cabinet has 14 cabinet ministers and one chief minister. As per rules, there can be 18 Cabinet Ministers, including the CM, as the total strength of the state Assembly seats is 117.
The party will face its first litmus test as the local bodies elections are going to be held this year after many municipal corporations terms are going to end in first quarter of 2023.
Many universities in Punjab are working without regular vice chancellors. Some of the VCs terms are going to end in 2023. It’s another big challenge for the govt to appoint regular vice chancellors in all these universities.
Punjab’s power sector is working on ad-hocisim. Punjab government has not appointed directors in PSPCL, PSTCL, PSERC, chief electrical inspector. Even the CMD, PSPCL is on extended term. These are working on “till further orders.”
Punjab’s regular representation in the BBMB has also expired in September 2022. It’s a major challenge for the state government to reestablish the lost glory of Punjab in BBMB.
Punjab government is formulating the Excise policy and has invited the suggestions from the public to process the formulation of Excise policy for the year of 2023-24. By formulating the new excise policy, state government is eyeing to increase the state revenue from excise department.
Punjab chief minister has already announced to increase the Mohalla clinics in the state to streamline the health facility for the residents of Punjab which is in the crumbling state due. Govt is trying its best to improve the health sector.
With the announcement and implementing the free 600 units for all the household consumers of the state, PSPCL is facing a financial crunch. State government liability towards PSPCL is increasing day by day. The subsidy amount is increasing with the implementation of free power scheme. The increasing gap may become a headache for the state government in 2023.
Another major challenge for the state government is to maintain peace, maintain law and order, to curb drug, arms smuggling and to conduct free and fair selection for Punjab police personnel’s through its recruitment drive. Previous year had brought bad name for Punjab police in maintaining law and order, curbing drug issue, failure to conduct free and fair recruitment of its personnel’s.
Lifting of government schools standard is going to be a gigantic task for the state govt in 2023.
As per poll promise, the implementations of “free ration delivery at consumer doorstep” and “Rs 1000 monthly allowance for all women” are other challenges for the state government. The schemes may see the light of a day in 2023.
To maintain “Corruption free state” is another big task for the state government in 2023.
Punjab’s premier recruitment agency-Punjab Public Service Commission remained in news for all wrong reasons. Selection and appointment of new chairman, conducting fair, transparent selection is another challenge for the government in 2023
Controlling stubble burning is going to be another major mission for the state government in 2023. The same has brought bad name for the government in 2022.
Controlling opposition throughout the year is going to be a headache and challenge for the state ruling party leaders. Now, Congress, akali dal and BJP are training guns against the state government on every issue.
2023 brings new hopes, new challenges for Mann government as in spite of the above challenges , cordial relations with the governor, starting of medical colleges, generating jobs, bringing industry to Punjab, solving NRIs issue, rural development, maintaining roads, bridges, developing infrastructure, basic amenities, starting of international flights from the state etc are going to be some other major fields in which state government have to prove its mettle in 2023.
January 1,2023
