Chandigarh- In a transformative push to strengthen the social security web and empower ladies and kids, the Punjab Authorities below CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has delivered historic achievements by the Division of Social Safety and Girls & Baby Growth between 2022 and 2026. This was acknowledged by Social Safety, Girls and Baby Growth Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.
Reinforcing its dedication to probably the most susceptible sections of society, the Mann Authorities added greater than 5.2 lakh further Punjabis from economically challenged backgrounds to the social safety pension web. Over ₹23,102 crore has been disbursed to almost 35.7 lakh aged residents, destitute and widow ladies, and individuals with disabilities.
Correcting years of administrative neglect and the absence of correct monitoring mechanisms below earlier governments, the Bhagwant Mann Authorities carried out a complete verification of pension information. Throughout this course of, greater than 1.9 lakh deceased or non-existent pensioners who continued to stay on official information had been recognized and eliminated. By plugging these loopholes and introducing stronger verification methods, the Punjab Authorities has ensured annual financial savings of greater than ₹350 crore in public funds.
Throughout this clean-up train, it was additionally discovered that pension quantities had continued to be transferred for years into financial institution accounts of beneficiaries who had been now not alive or eligible as a result of earlier governments had failed to ascertain correct methods to trace such circumstances. Because of this, almost ₹450 crore had amassed and remained unused in these accounts over time. The Bhagwant Mann Authorities recognized these accounts and recovered the funds mendacity unused in banks, bringing them again into the general public welfare system.
Beneath the statewide “Sade Bazurg Sada Maan” marketing campaign, the Authorities ensured last-mile supply of companies to senior residents, registering over 20,110 aged individuals. The camps supplied free eye and ENT check-ups, cataract screening, spectacle distribution, orthopedic consultations, issuance of Senior Citizen Playing cards, and on-the-spot pension facilitation.
Strengthening elder care infrastructure, the Punjab Authorities established a 72-bed Authorities Outdated Age Residence at Mansa at a price of ₹9.12 crore and prolonged almost ₹7 crore in grant-in-aid to NGOs operating outdated age houses throughout 14 districts. Monetary help was additionally prolonged to senior citizen day care centres.
The implementation of the Upkeep and Welfare of Mother and father and Senior Residents Act, 2007 has been strengthened, with Upkeep and Appellate Tribunals operational throughout districts. A complete of 1,120 circumstances had been resolved below Upkeep Tribunals and 669 circumstances had been disposed of below Appellate Tribunals, guaranteeing well timed justice for aged residents.
The Elder Helpline 14567, in collaboration with HelpAge India, registered 2,956 circumstances in FY 2025–26 and efficiently resolved 2,930 of them, offering counselling and help on pension, healthcare, and authorized issues.
In a landmark initiative for girls’s mobility and empowerment, the Free Bus Journey Scheme has enabled roughly 1.20 crore free bus journeys each month. The Punjab Authorities has spent over ₹2,000 crore on this scheme, enabling younger ladies to attend schools, lowering out-of-pocket expenditure for staff, and guaranteeing protected and impartial mobility throughout Punjab.
To help working ladies, 5 Working Girls Hostels are being constructed in Mohali, Jalandhar, and Amritsar at a complete price of roughly ₹150 crore. These hostels, geared up with crèche amenities, might be accomplished inside a yr and can allow ladies to pursue careers away from their houses whereas balancing household obligations.
Making early childhood growth joyful and accessible, almost 4,400 Anganwadi Staff have been recruited over the previous 4 years, whereas recruitment of over 6,100 further staff and helpers is ongoing.
Beneath the “Navi Disha Scheme,” the Bhagwant Mann Authorities is offering free sanitary napkins throughout all 27,314 Anganwadi Centres. Each month, 9 sanitary pads are distributed freed from price to every eligible lady. To date, 7.37 crore sanitary pads have been distributed to 13.65 lakh ladies, selling menstrual hygiene, well being, and dignity.
By the Matru Vandana Yojana, ₹5,000 is supplied to eligible ladies for the primary baby in two instalments, and ₹6,000 for a second lady baby in a single instalment. Towards a Central Authorities goal of two,94,288 beneficiaries, Punjab registered 4,22,492 beneficiaries over 4 years, almost doubling the assigned goal.
The Mann Authorities can be upgrading Anganwadi Centres into hubs of foundational studying below the “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” focus. Greater than 8,600 staff have been educated, with coaching of over 12,000 extra ongoing. A structured play-way curriculum might be carried out throughout all centres, together with non-public Playway colleges, whose on-line registration has been initiated to make sure monitoring, standardisation, and transparency.
Infrastructure enlargement stays a precedence, with 1,000 new Anganwadi Centres being constructed at a price of ₹140 crore, of which 780 are accomplished and 220 are in superior phases. Moreover, 337 out of 350 centres have been upgraded, with the remaining 13 nearing completion. Growth of 100 Saksham Anganwadi Centres is underway in Moga and Ferozepur districts.
Beneath Challenge Jeevanjot, 1,027 youngsters have been rescued from baby begging and exploitation. Most had been reunited with households, whereas others had been positioned in Baby Care Establishments for cover and rehabilitation. Mission Jeevanjot–II has been launched to curb trafficking and exploitation, together with DNA testing in circumstances the place youngsters are discovered begging with unrelated adults.
The Mann Authorities additionally took agency motion in opposition to baby marriage, stopping 150 out of 165 reported circumstances over 4 years and initiating authorized proceedings within the remaining circumstances, alongside counselling and rehabilitation help.
Additional, greater than 11,000 susceptible youngsters have obtained ₹4,000 per thirty days below the Sponsorship Scheme. The institution of 16 new Authorities Specialised Adoption Companies has streamlined the adoption course of, leading to 164 profitable adoptions to date.
These achievements underscore the Bhagwant Mann Authorities’s unwavering dedication to clear governance, social justice, and inclusive growth. The marginalized sections of society, which had been lengthy uncared for by earlier governments, have now been positioned on the centre of governance priorities, guaranteeing that welfare reaches each deserving family throughout Punjab.
