Chandigarh: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is consistently implementing people-centric policies aimed at ensuring social and economic security for all sections of society. During the financial year 2025–26, several historic initiatives have been launched for the welfare of the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities. This was stated by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur. She informed that a budget of ₹6,175 crore was allocated for social security schemes in 2025, out of which ₹4,683.94 crore has been released by November 2025 under old-age pension and other assistance schemes, benefiting over 35.29 lakh people across the state.
Highlighting child welfare initiatives, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the government is determined to eradicate child begging through Project Jeevanjot, under which monthly special raids are conducted in all districts. With the launch of Project Jeevanjot 2.0, efforts have been intensified to prevent child trafficking and identify those forcing children into begging. So far, 766 children have been rescued and enrolled in education and rehabilitation programs. The minister added that the government has also taken strict steps against child marriage, successfully stopping 64 such marriages in 2025 with the help of 2,076 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers deployed statewide.
She further said that child safety remains a top priority under the Safe School Vehicle Policy. Over the past four months, 2,385 school buses were inspected, leading to challans against 404 buses and the seizure of two vehicles for violating safety norms. In a landmark move toward inclusive governance, Punjab has become the first state in the country to introduce sign language interpretation for proceedings of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, enabling persons with hearing and speech disabilities to participate in the democratic process.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also outlined major initiatives for women and persons with disabilities, including free bus travel for women and visually impaired persons, and half-fare travel for other persons with disabilities. One-Stop Centers have been established in all districts to provide free medical, legal, police, counseling, and shelter services to women affected by violence, benefiting over 5,100 women so far. Additionally, free sanitary pads have been distributed through Anganwadi centers, financial assistance has been transferred via DBT to pregnant and lactating women, and five working women’s hostels worth ₹150 crore are being constructed in Mohali, Jalandhar, and Amritsar. The minister reaffirmed that the Mann government remains fully committed to social security, women empowerment, and building a safe and prosperous Punjab.
