TALWANDI SABO:Delivering a major governance upgrade at the sacred town of Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Sub-Divisional Complex, replacing a 40-year-old dilapidated structure with a modern three-storey facility built at a cost of nearly ₹6 crore. After paying obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, CM Mann dedicated the complex to the public, stressing it consolidates essential services like Easy Registry, SDM-Tehsildar courts, Fard centre, treasury office, record room and canteen under one roof, all linked with high-speed internet and an elevator for seamless access.

The new 3,000 sq ft building, featuring 28 rooms, addresses long-standing risks from the crumbling predecessor that endangered lives and property, while boosting transparency and efficiency for Talwandi Sabo residents and nearby villages. Taking to X, CM Mann posted: “Today at Talwandi Sabo, we inaugurated this modern Sub-Divisional Complex costing ₹6 crore in place of the 40-year-old unsafe one—now with SDM/Tehsildar courts, Fard centre, record room, treasury, canteen, high-speed net and lift for public ease.” He affirmed the government's resolve for citizen-centric progress, unlike past regimes that neglected such priorities.

CM Mann highlighted the Punjab government's focus on future-proof infrastructure, declaring: “Earlier, reins were in wrong hands, stalling Punjab's growth—now we prioritise public works.” He hoped the complex would deliver faster, hassle-free services, embodying commitment to grassroots governance.

Baisakhi Message and Anti-Sacrilege Bill

Post-inauguration, after bowing at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib—hallowed by Guru Gobind Singh ji—CM Mann invoked Baisakhi's spirit of Punjabiyat, unity and harvest joy. Recalling the 1699 Khalsa creation at Anandpur Sahib, he said: “Panj Pyaras from all castes were baptised, founding equality, love and brotherhood—Baisakhi inspires all Indians to fight oppression and build justice”.

He announced a special Vidhan Sabha session on April 13 for the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, cleared by Cabinet on April 10, proposing life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh for 'beadbi' sacrilege, overriding milder Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions amid 600 past cases. “Past governments failed; this deterrent safeguards sanctity, communal harmony and peace,” CM Mann asserted, confident it would curb malice.