Punjab News Daily

Jalandhar, June 13

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Saturday directly engaged with traders, shopkeepers and business owners during a meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission (PSTC) in Jalandhar, reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to resolving their concerns through dialogue and responsive governance. 

Highlighting small traders as the backbone of the economy, the AAP Supremo said that while previous governments ignored their issues and subjected them to harassment and extortion, the Bhagwant Mann government has ended such practices and established the PSTC to ensure that even the smallest problems faced by the trading community are addressed promptly and effectively.

Addressing a massive gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “The Bhagwant Mann government has completed four years in office. After working for four years, I do not recall any government in Punjab’s history that could sit face to face with people and hold such discussions. Earlier, Congress, BJP governments and Akali Dal governments came. After four years in office, when they went among the people, villagers would not even allow them to enter. People would stand with shoes in their hands to beat them. Today, when we go among the people, they smile at us, praise us, and are ready to embrace us. They appreciate our work.”

Referring to a recent roadshow, he shared, “Yesterday we were in Bathinda. We were holding a roadshow after securing excellent Municipal Corporation results and forming the Mayor. As we passed through the streets, people came out of their shops to welcome us. Their body language showed how happy they were to see Bhagwant Mann and all of us. They were genuinely happy. I am seeing the same reaction here today. The way all of you are praising the government and appreciating its work, something extraordinary seems to be happening in Punjab’s history. For the first time, a government has completed four years and people still like that government and want it back again.”

Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has broken free from decades of exploitation and misgovernance, ushering in an era of transparent, development-driven governance focused on public welfare. He said that unlike previous governments, the AAP government has the confidence to directly seek feedback from people after four years in office, while its work on irrigation, employment, public services and infrastructure has transformed lives across Punjab. 

Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has witnessed a historic shift in governance, where elected representatives are directly engaging with people and seeking feedback after completing four years in office, something no previous government ever dared to do. “While governments traditionally retreat into official chambers after years in power, the overwhelming affection and appreciation being received from people across Punjab has further strengthened the resolve of the AAP Government to work tirelessly for public welfare,” he added.

Describing traders as the backbone of Punjab’s economy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said successive governments ignored their concerns and treated them merely as a source of revenue and political funding. “For decades, small traders and shopkeepers were neglected because nobody bothered about their genuine issues. The Punjab State Traders Commission has been constituted to create a congenial environment for business and ensure that every legitimate concern of the trading community is addressed promptly,” he said.