Gangster-free Punjab, farmer relief, youth jobs: Sukhbir Singh Badal’s 2027 vision at Maghi Mela
Sukhbir Singh Badal alleges that people in Punjab are being denied basic services, while AAP govt is busy promoting itself in other states
PTC Web Desk: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal made a series of major policy announcements during the party’s conference held on the occasion of Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib, on Wednesday, outlining his vision for farmers, youth, law and order, and governance in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Addressing a large gathering, Sukhbir Singh Badal said if SAD forms the government in 2027, the party would prioritise farmers’ welfare from the very first days in office. He announced that within the first 10 days, all farmers who do not currently have tubewell connections would be provided new ones. To ensure water reaches tail-end fields, a pipeline-based irrigation system would be introduced.
He further said the Rajasthan feeder canal would be shut and Punjab’s rightful share of water would be brought back to the state.
Sukhbir Singh Badal said within the first year, uncultivated border-area lands would be made cultivable and all land mutations would be carried out free of cost. He also promised ownership rights to residents living on Lal Dora land, stating that many villagers still do not legally own the land they reside on.
Referring to waterlogging issues in Abohar, he claimed that the problem did not exist during SAD rule and asserted that only an Akali government could prevent such crises.
He also announced tax relief on motorcycles, drawing parallels with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s decision to waive tractor tax for farmers.
Sending out a tough message on law and order, Sukhbir Singh Badal said Punjab would be made gangster-free under an SAD government. He warned that any gangster issuing threats would face seizure of property, and the same action would apply to drug traffickers.
He also announced plans to amend laws to ensure that drug smugglers are denied bail for at least five years.
Major announcements for Punjab’s youth
Highlighting youth welfare, Sukhbir Singh Badal said jobs in Punjab would be reserved for the state’s youth, and people from outside Punjab would not be given preference in employment.
He announced that a medical college would be opened in every district, with 50% seats reserved under government control to provide free education to students from poor families.
Additionally, he promised the establishment of a skill university with a capacity of 50,000 students, where large companies would be involved in training programmes to help youth find employment within Punjab instead of migrating abroad.
Under SAD’s proposed education financing plan, students would be eligible for interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh, with no repayment for the first three years and a seven-year repayment window. “No poor child’s education will stop due to lack of money,” he said.
Launching a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that Delhi-based leaders were running Punjab’s administration. He accused the party of promoting a land pooling scheme to benefit builders from Delhi by acquiring land across Punjab.
He claimed that real power in Punjab lies with Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that transfers of SSPs, DCs, and tehsildars are decided from Delhi, not by Punjab’s Chief Minister.
Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that people in Punjab are being denied basic services, while the AAP government is busy promoting itself in other states. He claimed that Rs 4,500 crore was spent on advertisements.
Accusing AAP of broken promises, the SAD chief said the party failed to deliver on its pre-poll assurances, including Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for women, jobs for locals, and improvements in healthcare, education, and development.
“Over the past decade, Punjab has been pushed towards ruin. None of AAP’s guarantees have been fulfilled,” Sukhbir Singh Badal said.