*Mann Government Spends ₹298 Crore on Free Bus Travel for Women : Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Women Avail Around 1.20 Crore Free Bus Journeys Every Month*

*Free Travel Eases Financial Burden, Expands Access to Jobs, Education and Essential Services*

*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Reaffirms Commitment to Women's Safety, Mobility and Empowerment*

Chandigarh, July 20:Reaffirming the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to women-centric welfare and inclusive development, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State Government is implementing transformative initiatives to empower women, strengthen their economic independence and ensure equal opportunities for their growth and progress.

Sharing details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government has spent ₹298 crore so far during the financial year 2026-27 on providing free bus travel for women. She added that women avail around 1.20 crore free bus journeys every month, highlighting the widespread acceptance and success of this flagship welfare initiative.

The Minister said that the scheme has significantly reduced the financial burden on women and has become a vital support for lakhs of commuters travelling for employment, education, healthcare and other essential needs. She said that by making travel affordable and accessible, the initiative is enabling women to step out with greater confidence, pursue new employment opportunities and participate more actively in the social and economic development of Punjab.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that the free travel facility is available in government-operated buses, providing women with safe, reliable and convenient public transport across the State. She added that the initiative has emerged as an important step towards enhancing women's mobility, independence and economic participation.

The Minister said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is firmly committed to building a "Rangla Punjab" where every woman can travel safely, live with dignity and realise her full potential. She added that the Punjab Government will continue to introduce progressive, people-centric initiatives that empower women and ensure that the benefits of development reach every household across the State.

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*Half of Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana Beneficiaries Are in Their Most Financially Challenging Years; Over 50% Are in 36–59 Age Group*

*From Free Electricity to Health Insurance & Monthly Support, Govt Schemes Have Given Me Financial Confidence: Sunita Rani, Beneficiary*

*I Used Assistance for My Treatment & Household Expenses: Widow Pachho, Beneficiary*

*This Money Has Helped Us Pay Our Children’s School Fees: Preeti, Beneficiary*

*I Bought New Pair of Spectacles & Filled Petrol in My Scooter With This Money: Karamjit Kaur, Beneficiary*

CHANDIGARH, 20 July 2026-The Bhagwant Man Government's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana is providing timely financial support to eligible women across the state at a time when rising household expenses, college admission costs and inflation are putting increasing pressure on family budgets.

More than 33 lakh women beneficiaries, who completed their registration by 25 June 2026, have received the assistance directly in their bank accounts, while the remaining eligible beneficiaries will receive it on 1 August. More than 70 lakh women have enrolled under the scheme so far.

The scheme's beneficiary profile shows that it is reaching women at a stage in life when financial responsibilities are often at their peak. More than half of all beneficiaries belong to the 36–45 years (25.2%) and 46–59 years (25.4%) age groups, together accounting for over 50% of the total beneficiaries.

These are the years when families typically shoulder their greatest financial commitments. Parents have to pay for their children's education, college admissions, marriages, healthcare, housing, loan repayments and the care of ageing parents, while also planning for their own future. During this phase of life, every rupee counts. The monthly assistance under the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana is helping women contribute directly to their households while easing the burden of essential expenses.

For many families, the assistance has become an important source of support for education, healthcare and everyday household needs.

Sunita Rani (48), a resident of Dhani Kharaswali village in Fazilka district, said the monthly assistance has enabled her to support her children's education. "My daughter is pursuing a B.Tech degree and my son studies in Class XI. I have used most of the money to pay my son's school fees and given the remaining amount to my husband. As a housewife, I have no independent income, so this assistance has given me the satisfaction of contributing to my family's needs. My husband is also very happy with this support. Earlier, we received free electricity, then ₹10 lakh health insurance, and now this monthly financial support. The government has introduced several welfare schemes, especially for women," she said.

She added that the assistance has reduced financial stress and helped ensure that her children's education continues without interruption.

For Pachho (55), a resident of Ward No. 17 in Ferozepur, the scheme has provided much-needed relief during a particularly difficult phase of life. A widow living with her divorced daughter and grandson, Pachho has been struggling with poor health and limited financial resources. "I spent part of the money on my treatment and saved the rest for household expenses. My husband passed away years ago, and we have been living in difficult circumstances. This assistance from the Bhagwant Mann Government has been a great support for us," she added.

She said the financial assistance also helped her pay her grandson's school fees. Having assisted several people in applying for the scheme, she expressed happiness that many deserving families had benefited.

Karamjit Kaur (46), a member of a self-help group, said the monthly assistance has helped her meet everyday expenses while allowing her to invest in her family's future. "Main taan is paise naal apni ainak banwai te scooty vich petrol pawa liya." (I bought a new pair of spectacles and filled petrol in my scooter with this money.) "In the coming months, I plan to use it for my son's sports expenses. He is a national-level hockey player," she added.

A former kabaddi player herself, Karamjit appreciated the government's focus on promoting sports alongside welfare initiatives aimed at improving the lives of ordinary families.

Preeti (28), another beneficiary from Fazilka, works as a domestic helper and is raising two school-going sons. She said the assistance arrived when education costs were becoming increasingly difficult to manage. "This money has helped us pay our children's school fees. It has come at the right time and reduced our financial burden," she said.

Similarly, widow Baljit Kaur said the monthly assistance has enabled her to meet medical expenses that had become increasingly difficult to afford, providing much-needed financial relief.

The experiences of beneficiaries across Punjab reflect the broader impact of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, demonstrating how timely financial assistance is helping women manage household responsibilities, support their families and navigate periods of heightened financial pressure.

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*Under Yudh Nashean Virudh, Bhagwant Mann Govt Introduces Internationally Accepted Methadone Maintenance Therapy to Strengthen Drug De-Addiction Treatment*

*Methadone Emerges as New Weapon Against Drug Addiction in Punjab; 6 MMT Clinics Operational, 6 More to Be Set Up Soon*

*Dedicated methadone clinics operational at Faridkot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Mohali and Jalandhar*

*Methadone Maintenance Therapy to Improve Recovery Outcomes & Prevent Relapse Among Opioid-Dependent Patients: Dr. Balbir Singh*

CHANDIGARH, July 20:Punjab has introduced an internationally accepted drug de-addiction treatment known as Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) for people with severe opioid dependence. The introduction of methadone marks a significant step in the state’s treatment-focused approach to tackling drug addiction.

Conventional treatment has largely relied on Buprenorphine-based Opioid Substitution Therapy through the state’s more than 500 OOAT centres, which involves replacing harmful opioids with regulated medication to treat addiction, and abstinence-based rehabilitation. The introduction of MMT provides an additional treatment option for patients with long-term opioid dependence who have not responded adequately to existing therapies.

Six dedicated methadone clinics are now operational across Punjab at Government Medical College, Faridkot; Civil Hospital, Ludhiana; Government Medical College, Patiala; and district hospitals in Gurdaspur, Mohali and Jalandhar. The state also plans to establish six more MMT centres in the coming months, taking the total number of dedicated facilities to 12.

On this, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the expansion of methadone facilities is part of the state’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, which places a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, particularly for people with opioid dependence who are at a high risk of relapse. "Methadone Maintenance Therapy, implemented in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), provides an effective treatment option for people with long-term opioid dependence. The comprehensive approach would improve recovery outcomes and help patients successfully reintegrate with their families and society," he added.

The newly established clinics will function as specialised outpatient facilities where patients will receive supervised methadone therapy along with psychological counselling, psychiatric consultation, relapse prevention services, family counselling and regular follow-up.

Patients will have to visit the clinic daily to receive their prescribed dose under medical supervision. The daily doses are administered under medical supervision to prevent misuse and ensure adherence to treatment.

*What is Methadone Therapy?*

Methadone is an evidence-based treatment for people with opioid use disorder, like those addicted to heroin. Methadone is included in the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines for treatment of opioid use disorders. It is prescribed and administered under the supervision of trained medical professionals as part of a comprehensive treatment programme.

Methadone works by binding with the same opioid receptors in the brain as heroin and other opioids. Depending on the prescribed dose, it controls cravings, prevents withdrawal symptoms, and produces opioid tolerance which stops one from getting an opioid-related ‘high’. This enables patients to stabilise their health and engage more effectively in treatment, work, and family life.

Over time, the methadone dose may be tapered based on clinical assessment and recovery goals. Since the patients ingest the medicine daily at a clinic under supervision, the risk of diversion or misuse of the dose is substantially low as compared to take-home prescriptions.

Because methadone is a long-acting medication, a single daily dose is usually sufficient to control withdrawal symptoms and cravings for approximately 24 hours, helping patients maintain stability throughout the day.

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*Vigilance Bureau nabs ASI red handed accepting bribe of Rs. 10,000/-*

Chandigarh, 20 July 2026:The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Assistant Sub Inspector(ASI) Jagjiwan Singh posted at Koomkalan Police Station, Ludhiana red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Surjit Colony, Rahon Road, Ludhiana on Anti- Corruption Action Line portal.

He informed that a case had been registered against complainant's relative at Koomkalan, Police Station Ludhiana. ASI Jagjiwan Singh was the investigation officer of this case. When the complainant met the accused ASI regarding this case, accused ASI demanded and received bribe of Rs.10,000/- to help complainant's relative to get bail in this case. In this connection, accused ASI further called the complainant and demanded additional bribe of Rs. 10,000/-. Complainant recorded the entire conversation regarding demanding bribe.

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB range Ludhiana. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 10,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Ludhiana and further investigation into this case is under progress.

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*NURPUR BEDI BLOCK VILLAGES TO GET LIFT IRRIGATION FACILITIES UNDER RS.650-CR PLAN: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL*

*Farmers to benefit from Sutlej and Swan river-based schemes*

*Lift irrigation project for nine villages launched in first phase*

*Chandigarh/Nurpur Bedi, July 20:*Punjab Water Resources and Soil & Water Conservation Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today launched the phased implementation of an ambitious lift irrigation scheme aimed at providing irrigation facilities to villages in the Nurpur Bedi block. The project, inaugurated at Village Chhajja, has an estimated cost of Rs.650 crore.

Addressing the large gathering of residents from various villages of the Nurpur Bedi block, the Cabinet Minister said that the villages in the region had remained deprived of adequate irrigation facilities for agriculture since Independence. To address this longstanding issue, four possible options were examined, including sourcing water from the Nangal Reservoir and the Sutlej River, drawing water from the crossings of the ASHC and NHC canals and constructing dams across choes and rivers to conserve rainwater.

The Cabinet Minister said that under this plan, clusters comprising eight to 14 villages are being formed to develop small-scale lift irrigation schemes and ensure water supply according to the requirements of farmers. In addition, plans have been prepared to construct check dams across choes and rivers to conserve rainwater and supply it to agricultural fields through gravity flow.

He said that the project would also help channelise the Swan River, protect nearby villages from flooding and conserve substantial quantities of water. The stored water would subsequently be utilised for irrigation, providing a major boost to agriculture and reducing dependence on groundwater.

The Cabinet Minister said that the most suitable approach for providing irrigation facilities to 102 villages would be to implement lift irrigation schemes based on Sutlej water along with the construction of dams on the Swan River.

Sh. Goyal further said that the project has an estimated cost of Rs.650 crore. As part of the first phase, lift irrigation facilities have already been initiated for nine villages covering an area of 2,785 acres. In the subsequent phases, irrigation facilities would be extended to the remaining villages.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha said that for the first time, the flood-prone Nurpur Bedi region would receive canal water. He said that the Sutlej and seasonal streams had so far caused damage to farmers' land during floods. However, the lift irrigation scheme would now provide significant relief to farmers and ensure the productive utilisation of water resources.

The MLA said that previous governments had neither conducted the required surveys nor prepared any concrete irrigation plan for the region despite the potential to utilise Sutlej water having existed for a long time.

He also apprised the local residents of the details of the scheme and said that it would prove to be a boon for farmers by ensuring irrigation water supply to all villages of the Nurpur Bedi block.

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