*Dignity, Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Remain Punjab Government’s Priority; Nearly ₹255 Crore Financial Assistance Released So Far: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, financial assistance reaching 2.84 lakh beneficiaries across the State*
*₹498.16 crore budget provision made for the current financial year to further strengthen the social security framework*
*Punjab Government committed to ensuring dignity, support and rightful benefits for every eligible person with disability*
Chandigarh, October 3:The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is firmly committed to ensuring the welfare and dignity of every section of society. In line with this vision, nearly ₹255 crore has been released so far as financial assistance for persons with disabilities, aimed at supporting them towards a life of dignity, security and self-reliance.
Sharing this information, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government believes that disability should never become a barrier to an individual’s dreams, dignity or progress. She said that the Government is not only providing financial assistance but also working towards empowering persons with disabilities by creating opportunities for confidence, independence and equal participation in society.
The Cabinet Minister informed that around 2.84 lakh beneficiaries are currently receiving regular financial assistance under the scheme, enabling them to meet their essential needs and live their lives with greater confidence and dignity.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further stated that to strengthen the financial support mechanism for persons with disabilities, the Punjab Government has made a budget provision of ₹498.16 crore for the current financial year, reflecting its unwavering commitment towards strengthening social security and inclusive welfare.
She said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government is ensuring that the benefits of welfare schemes reach every eligible beneficiary in a transparent and timely manner. She added, “The strength of a sensitive and progressive society is reflected in the way it stands with its most vulnerable citizens. The Punjab Government will continue to work towards providing dignity, security and equal opportunities to every person with a disability.”
Dr. Baljit Kaur appealed to persons with disabilities and their families to come forward and avail themselves of the benefits of government welfare schemes. She also urged citizens, public representatives and local institutions to support the identification of eligible beneficiaries so that no deserving person is deprived of the assistance and support they are entitled to.
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*Bhagwant-Mann Govt Makes Triple H Screening A Part of its 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' Initiative*
*HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Screening to Begin in Govt De-addiction Facilities*
*Yudh Nashean Virudh is leading revolution towards a stronger, healthier and prosperous Punjab: Dr. Balbir Singh*
CHANDIGARH, October 3:Punjab’s fight against drug abuse and communicable diseases is strengthening with Triple H screening for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C set to begin shortly in government de-addiction and rehabilitation facilities.
The decision is part of the Bhagwant Mann's Yudh Nashean Virudh initiative and aims to provide comprehensive treatment to people with substance-use disorders and prevent the spread of blood-borne infections in the state. Viral infections like HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C spread through risk behaviors like sharing needles and syringes, and detecting and treating these diseases is an important part towards reintegrating people suffering from addiction back in their communities.
For years, screening camps for HIV and hepatitis were organised periodically, often at intervals of about two months. While these camps provided opportunities for testing, there was limited scope to track who had attended, who had missed the camp and who subsequently required follow-up.
Under the new approach, screening will be linked directly to the de-addiction and rehabilitation process rather than relying primarily on periodic camps. This is expected to create more consistent opportunities for testing and facilitate referrals for individuals who require further investigation, treatment or continued medical care.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “People with a history of injecting drug use face an increased risk of blood-borne infections, and that early detection is important for timely medical care and counselling.”
He added, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Yudh Nashean Virudh is leading a revolution towards a stronger, healthier and prosperous Punjab. Our goal is not simply to help people overcome addiction, but also to enable them to lead healthier lives and contribute to society. By integrating HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C screening into de-addiction services, the Government is taking another important step towards ensuring that recovery leads to a meaningful and brighter future.”
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*Punjab Government will procure every single grain of farmers' crop: Lal Chand Kataruchak*
- Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister reviews paddy procurement arrangements at Tarn Taran grain market
- Says, paddy procurement in the state is going on smoothly and uninterrupted
- Payment being made directly into bank accounts of farmers within 24 hours
- Rs 42,786 crore CCL received for paddy procurement
- Target to procure 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for central pool
- Appeals to farmers to bring only dry paddy to mandis
*Chandigarh / Tarn Taran, October 3:*The Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today reviewed the paddy procurement arrangements at the Tarn Taran grain market.
On this occasion, he said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will procure every single grain of the crop produced with the hard work of farmers. He said that government procurement of paddy in the state has already started from October 1 and farmers will not be allowed to face any kind of difficulty while selling their crop in the mandis.
On the occasion, he also got the crop of farmer Sulakhan Singh of village Karmuwala and farmer Shamsher Singh of village Sakhira procured. While reviewing procurement, lifting, payment, gunny bags and other arrangements in the mandi, he gave necessary directions to the concerned officers. On the occasion, he also interacted with farmers, commission agents and labourers.
The Cabinet Minister said that this year bumper paddy crop is arriving in the mandis and the quality of the crop is also better. He informed that during the procurement season, a target has been set to procure 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for the central pool. He said that to achieve this target, all concrete arrangements have been made in the mandis by the state government.
He informed that payment to farmers for their crop is being made in a transparent manner directly into their bank accounts. He said that Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs. 42,786 crore has been received, which has ensured adequate financial arrangements for paddy procurement.
He appealed to the farmers to harvest only after the crop is fully matured and dried and to bring only dry paddy conforming to prescribed specifications to the mandis. This will ensure they get the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2,461 per quintal for their crop and they will not have to wait unnecessarily in the mandis.
The Cabinet Minister said that comprehensive arrangements have been made in all the mandis of the state to run the procurement season smoothly, transparently and without any interruption. He directed the officials of the procurement agencies that there should be no difficulty in procurement, lifting and payment of the crop arriving in the mandis. He said that problems of farmers should be resolved on the spot.
On the issue of stubble burning, the Cabinet Minister said that protecting the sacred land and environment of Punjab is our collective moral responsibility. He said that the Punjab Government has made concrete arrangements for proper management of paddy stubble. He appealed to the farmers not to burn stubble and to support the government in protecting the environment.
He said that better coordination between farmers, commission agents, millers, labourers, procurement agencies and concerned departments is very essential to make the procurement season successful.
On this occasion, Deputy Director Food and Supplies Department Rajnish Kumari, District Food and Supplies Controller Harveen Kaur, District Mandi Officer Harjot Singh, DSP Jaspal Singh, District Chairman of Traders Commission Harmandeep Singh Maini, Halqa Incharge of Traders Commission and President Arhtiya Association Dilbag Singh Batth, General Secretary Pawel Singh Pannu, Patron Sarjit Singh Chohla, Gurinder Singh Lali Chacha, Surinder Singh Bhuchar, Bahal Singh Gill and Paramjit Joshi besides other dignitaries were also present.
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Earlier, a person who missed a screening camp could remain outside the testing cycle until another camp was held weeks or months later. By linking testing with de-addiction services, the state can easily identify those who need to be screened and ensure that positive cases are referred for appropriate care.
The decision reflects the state’s seriousness in battling the spread of infectious diseases in the state. Earlier in August, Dr. Balbir Singh announced adoption of advanced testing technologies, including Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA), to enhance the early detection of transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C and strengthen blood safety in Punjab. Diagnostic testing for the three infections can also be availed free-of-cost at all Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state. These infections can remain undetected for years because many infected individuals do not experience noticeable symptoms, even as the underlying disease progresses. Early diagnosis and treatment, however, can improve treatment outcomes and help patients to live long, healthy lives.
The integration of Triple H screening also reflects a broader approach to substance-use treatment, recognising that recovery goes beyond withdrawal management and abstinence.
Counselling, psychological support, medical care and social rehabilitation are all important components of sustained recovery, alongside the identification and management of associated health conditions.
With the rollout already underway in private facilities and government centres expected to follow shortly, the initiative seeks to strengthen the continuum of care available to people affected by substance use.