Chandigarh: The Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government of Punjab has disbursed more than ₹23,102 crore in social security pensions to nearly 35.7 lakh beneficiaries between 2022 and 2026, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said on Thursday. The government also expanded the pension net by adding over 5.2 lakh new beneficiaries from economically weaker sections. During a verification drive, more than 1.9 lakh deceased or ineligible pensioners were removed from records, plugging annual leakages of over ₹350 crore and recovering around ₹450 crore that had remained unused in bank accounts due to earlier administrative lapses.
The minister said the government has strengthened welfare initiatives for senior citizens, women and children across the state. Under the free bus travel scheme for women, around 1.20 crore journeys are being made every month, while more than 7.37 crore sanitary pads have been distributed to 13.65 lakh women through Anganwadi centres under the Navi Disha scheme. The state has also recruited nearly 4,400 Anganwadi workers and initiated construction of 1,000 new Anganwadi centres to strengthen early childhood care.
Highlighting child protection efforts, the minister said 1,027 children were rescued from begging and exploitation under Mission Jeevanjot, while over 11,000 vulnerable children are receiving ₹4,000 per month under the sponsorship scheme. The government has also prevented 150 cases of child marriage and established new specialised adoption agencies to streamline the adoption process, reinforcing its focus on social welfare and inclusive development across Punjab.
