Chandigarh: In a transformative push to empower women, children, and senior citizens, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has achieved historic milestones through the Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development between 2022 and 2026. This was highlighted by Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, who emphasized the government’s focus on the most vulnerable sections of society.
Expanding Social Security Pension Coverage
The Mann Government added over 5.2 lakh additional citizens from economically challenged backgrounds to the social security pension network. A total of ₹23,102 crore has been disbursed to nearly 35.7 lakh elderly citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities.
A comprehensive verification of pension records corrected administrative lapses from previous governments, identifying 1.9 lakh deceased or non-existent pensioners. This clean-up resulted in annual savings of ₹350 crore, while recovery of nearly ₹450 crore from unused accounts brought funds back into public welfare programs.
Elderly Care Initiatives
Under the “Sade Bazurg Sada Maan” campaign, the government ensured last-mile delivery of services to senior citizens, registering over 20,110 elderly persons. Services included:
- Free eye and ENT check-ups
- Cataract screening and spectacle distribution
- Orthopedic consultations
- Issuance of Senior Citizen Cards
- On-the-spot pension facilitation
A 72-bed Government Old Age Home was established at Mansa for ₹9.12 crore, and nearly ₹7 crore in grants was provided to NGOs running old age homes across 14 districts.
Women Empowerment and Mobility
The Free Bus Travel Scheme has enabled 1.20 crore free journeys monthly, supporting young women’s access to colleges, workplaces, and safe mobility across Punjab.
Additionally, five Working Women Hostels are being constructed in Mohali, Jalandhar, and Amritsar at a cost of ₹150 crore, complete with crèche facilities, enabling women to pursue careers while managing family responsibilities.
Strengthening Early Childhood Development
- 4,400 Anganwadi Workers recruited, with 6,100 more in progress
- “Navi Disha Scheme” provides free sanitary napkins at 27,314 Anganwadi Centres, distributing 7.37 crore pads to 13.65 lakh women
- Matru Vandana Yojana benefitted 4,22,492 women, surpassing the Central Government target of 2,94,288
- Over 8,600 Anganwadi Workers trained under the “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” initiative, with training of 12,000 more ongoing
Infrastructure expansion includes 1,000 new Anganwadi Centres (780 completed, 220 in progress) and upgrading of 337 out of 350 existing centres, along with 100 Saksham Anganwadi Centres under development.
Child Protection and Welfare
Through Project Jeevanjot, 1,027 children were rescued from begging and exploitation, most reunited with families. Mission Jeevanjot–II addresses child trafficking with DNA testing for children found with unrelated adults.
The government also prevented 150 child marriages and provided rehabilitation support, while over 11,000 vulnerable children receive ₹4,000 per month under the Sponsorship Scheme.
16 new Government Specialised Adoption Agencies streamlined the adoption process, resulting in 164 successful adoptions.
Commitment to Inclusive Governance
These initiatives underscore the Punjab Government’s focus on transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centric governance, ensuring that marginalized groups are placed at the centre of policy priorities. Through welfare expansion, digital delivery of services, and robust monitoring mechanisms, the Mann Government has strengthened the social safety net for women, children, and elderly citizens across the state.
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