Chandigarh: The Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has intensified efforts to enhance the welfare of ex-servicemen, freedom fighters, and their families. In a decisive push, Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Wednesday reviewed the status of ongoing war memorial projects and the renovation of Sainik Rest Houses across the state.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat with senior officials from the Defence Services Welfare Department and the Public Works Department (PWD), Bhagat reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the living standards of those who have served the nation. He instructed officers to ensure the effective execution of all welfare schemes, leaving no scope for delays or inefficiency.
Special Secretary of PWD, Hargunjit Kaur, presented an update on the construction of war memorials, detailing the progress made so far. Responding to the report, Bhagat directed the PWD to accelerate the pace of work to ensure timely completion.
Director of the Defence Services Welfare Department, Brigadier Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Retd.), also briefed the Minister on the department’s activities over the past three months. These included advancements in financial aid distribution, educational benefits, and medical support for ex-servicemen, along with ongoing renovation work at Sainik Rest Houses.
Emphasising the importance of these facilities, Bhagat ordered that all renovation and maintenance work be completed within the stipulated timeframe. He assured that funds would not be a constraint for developmental initiatives and warned that any official negligence in executing these projects would be met with strict action.
The Minister further directed that matters concerning ex-servicemen should receive top priority at all administrative levels. He called for awareness campaigns to ensure eligible beneficiaries are well-informed about available government schemes, enabling them to claim their rightful benefits.
Bhagat reiterated that the state’s defence veterans and their families are a vital part of Punjab’s heritage and that the government will continue to stand by them through comprehensive welfare measures.
