Punjab Government has made significant strides in ensuring the welfare of women, children, and senior citizens, said the state Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Friday while announcing that up to November 2024, the Government distributed pensions worth Rs 4532.60 crore to approximately 34.09 lakh beneficiaries under the Old Age Pension and financial assistance schemes.
Beneficiaries receive Rs 1500 monthly, with funds disbursed transparently via the public financial management system, she said.
Highlighting the government’s free bus travel scheme for women, Dr Baljit Kaur said: “Over one crore women benefit from free travel monthly, promoting self-confidence and security.”
In December 2024, the Government launched the “Health, Hygiene, and Awareness Camps” initiative to enhance women’s employment opportunities and health awareness. The first camp in Sri Muktsar Sahib saw seven companies interview 209 women, of which 28 were hired. Similar camps in Barnala, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur yielded remarkable results. In Barnala, 370 women participated, 241 were shortlisted, and eight received job offers on the spot. IBM and Microsoft provided free training opportunities, while Red Cross initiatives and the PNB Rural Self-Employment Training Institute raised awareness of self-employment loans.
Gurdaspur's mega placement camp saw 465 participants, with 356 women securing jobs across sectors like banking, textiles, and wellness. In Hoshiarpur, 204 women were hired, and 412 shortlisted from over 1,500 attendees.
Dr Baljit Kaur also highlighted the success of the Matru Vandana Yojana, which disbursed Rs 48.55 crore to nearly 1.3 lakh pregnant and lactating women in 2024. Efforts to combat malnutrition yielded significant results, with stunting rates dropping from 22.08 percent to 17.65 percent, and underweight rates from 13.58 percent to 5.57 percent between 2022 and 2024.
The Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, citing the establishment of state and district-level branches under the Hub for Empowerment of Women initiative to ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes.
“The Punjab Government remains dedicated to empowering women, enhancing health standards, and ensuring social security for all citizens,” Dr Baljit Kaur concluded.
