SANGRUR, March 6 -- Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said the upcoming budget will introduce several new pro-people initiatives aimed at accelerating economic growth while strengthening welfare measures. Addressing a gathering during a lok milni in Bhular Heri village of Sangrur, the CM said the state government has utilised public money responsibly over the past four years, delivering free power to more than 90% households, establishing 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, and providing over 63,000 government jobs. "As long as AAP Govt is in Punjab, free electricity will continue. The ensuing budget will introduce several pro-people initiatives besides propelling the economic growth of the state," the CM said, adding, "Today, more than 90% households in Punjab are getting free power, and farmers are receiving power during daytime, which has been unprecedented." The CM said to provide comprehensive healthcare, his government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna that provides cashless medical treatment up to Rs.10 lakh for every resident family of the state. "As many as 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened to provide free healthcare to people," he added. Taking a swipe at Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, the CM said the SAD leadership has lost touch with the realities of the state and should stop daydreaming about returning to power. He said that while the state's youth need employment opportunities, Sukhbir is busy talking about organising card tournaments. "Traditional political parties burdened Punjab with debt and worked for their own interests. Akali Dal has become a party of political deadwood, rejected by the people again and again," Mann said while criticising the Centre for withholding the state's rightful funds. "The BJP has always tried to divide the country on the basis of religion to push its agenda of hatred. The statement made by the Union home minister regarding religious conversion in Punjab is aimed at polarising people. Instead of indulging in dirty politics, the Centre should be generous in allocating funds to Punjab instead of withholding its legitimate share," CM Mann said, referring to RDF and other funds....