Personal life
Charanjit Singh Channi is married to Dr. Kamaljit Kaur,a medical professional. The couple have two sons. [12] His elder son,Navjit Singh,has actively entered politics. In July 2023,he was elected as the District Youth Congress President of Rupnagar with a significant margin,securing 12,415 votes. His opponent received fewer than 1,500 votes,highlighting his strong support base. [13]
Early political career
Kharar municipal council
Channi started at the grassroots level by serving as a municipal councillor in Kharar,Punjab. This role helped him gain experience in local administration and governance. His leadership abilities were recognized,and he became the president of the Kharar municipal council in 2002,handling civic issues and development projects in the town.. [14]
Punjab Legislative Assembly
In 2007,Channi was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly as an Independent candidate from the Chamkaur Sahib constituency,marking his entry into state-level politics. [15] Then he joined Congress and retained his seat,demonstrating strong electoral support and political acumen during the State Assembly elections held in 2012 [16] and 2017. [17]
Leader of opposition
Channi served as the leader of opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 2015 to 2016,and this position provided him a platform to critique government policies and establish himself as a key Congress leader in Punjab. [2]
Cabinet minister
Charanjit Singh Channi served as a cabinet minister in the Punjab government under Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. He was in charge of the Technical Education and Training portfolio,which involved overseeing technical institutions,vocational training programs,and skill development initiatives in the state. During his tenure,he focused on upgrading technical institutions in Punjab,ensuring that infrastructure and curriculum met modern industry standards. [2]
Chief Minister of Punjab
In September 2021, he succeeded Captain Amarinder Singh as Chief Minister of Punjab after the latter's resignation. [2] [18] He is the first Dalit Sikh Chief Minister of Punjab. [19] [20] [21] [22] Commentators suggested that Punjab's large Dalit population and attempts by other parties to appeal to it may have influenced Congress's choice of Channi as Singh's successor. [23] [24]
On 26 September fifteen new ministers were sworn in; several ministers from the Second Amarinder Singh ministry were retained. [25] [26]
Soon after taking office, Channi made several policy announcements. On 21 September he promised action concerning a sacrilege case and said that the electricity bills of water works schemes would be waived and connections would be restored. [27] On 23 September he stated "Class D" government jobs would be regularised; they were previously outsourced. [28] In November 2021, Channi inaugurated his dream project Dastaan-e-Shahadat theme park at Chamkaur Sahib. [29]
On 24 December 2021, Channi approved setting up Punjab State Commission for General Category. [30] Congress leader Navjot Dahiya was appointed its first chairman. [31] On 30 December 2021, Channi started free bus travel for students. [32]
Contribution in Academic Research
Within his first 100 days, Channi’s administration set up academic chairs in honor of notable figures like Bhagwan Valmiki, Guru Ravidass, Bhai Jaita (Baba Jiwan Singh), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Bhai Makhan Shah Labana. [33]
Enforcement measures to control illegal mining
In December 2021, Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi announced a fine of ₹25,000 for violations of sand mining norms. This was part of a broader effort to curb illegal extraction and to stabilize sand prices, which were capped at ₹5.50 per cubic foot. District officials were directed to maintain strict vigilance at mining sites, and Deputy Commissioners were instructed to offer the ₹25,000 reward to anyone who provided proof video or otherwise of norm violations. Additionally, panchayats seeking sand were to receive it free of cost, and only trucks (not tractor-trailers) were to be charged at the fixed rate. The CM also urged the reopening of previously closed legitimate mining sites and emphasized that no political interference would be tolerated. [34] [35]
2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election
At the end of the legislative assembly term, Channi was appointed the Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress for the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. Navjot Singh Sidhu was the other contender expecting to be the CM candidate. [40] The official campaign was named Sada Channi, Sada CM (Our Channi, Our CM). [41] Official campaign song Channi Karda Masle Hal by singer Surmandeep Mansa was launched in February 2022. [42]
He contested the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election from Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur legislative assembly constituencies, but lost both the seats to his opponents from the Aam Aadmi Party. [43] On 11 March 2022, Channi submitted his resignation to Governor. [44] On 21 March 2022, he met and congratulated his successor Bhagwant Mann. [45]
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