*Punjab Government's Social Security Shield Reaches Over 36 Lakh Beneficiaries: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Over ₹2,697.44 Crore Transferred Directly into Beneficiaries' Bank Accounts Through DBT*
*₹6,131.91 Crore Earmarked for Social Security Schemes During FY 2026-27*
*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government Committed to Ensuring No Eligible Citizen is Left Behind*
Chandigarh, September 4:Reaffirming the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to social justice and inclusive development, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government is consistently working to provide social and economic security to vulnerable sections of society, ensuring that every eligible citizen is empowered to lead a life of dignity, financial security and self-respect.
Sharing the progress achieved under the State's welfare initiatives, the Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under various Social Security schemes, including the Old Age Pension Scheme, the Punjab Government has so far transferred over ₹2,697.44 crore directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparent, timely and hassle-free delivery of financial assistance.
Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that more than 36 lakh beneficiaries across Punjab are currently receiving assistance under various welfare programmes. She said this extensive outreach reflects the Government's unwavering resolve to ensure that welfare reaches every deserving household without discrimination, thereby strengthening the social protection framework across the State.
Further strengthening its commitment to social protection, the Punjab Government has earmarked ₹6,131.91 crore under various Social Security schemes during the current financial year. Dr. Baljit Kaur said this substantial allocation demonstrates the Government's determination to provide sustained financial assistance to senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities, dependent children and other vulnerable sections, enabling them to lead secure, independent and dignified lives.
The Minister said social security is not merely about extending financial assistance but about restoring confidence, protecting vulnerable families and enabling people to live with dignity. She added that the Government remains committed to building an inclusive society where every deserving citizen receives timely support and equal opportunities to live with respect and security.
Issuing directions to the officers, Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed them to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out of any welfare programme. She directed the officials to proactively identify deserving individuals, ensure time-bound processing of all eligible cases and guarantee effective implementation of welfare schemes at the grassroots level with complete transparency, accountability and sensitivity.
Reiterating the Government's vision, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government will continue to strengthen people-centric welfare initiatives to build a more compassionate, equitable and prosperous Rangla Punjab, where development is inclusive, welfare is accessible and every citizen lives with dignity, security and hope.
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*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Goes Digital: Punjab Beneficiaries Can Now Download Their ₹10-Lakh Health Card From Home*
*SHA Punjab makes access to Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana simpler, faster and more convenient*
*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Beneficiaries Can Now Download Health Cards Online After e-KYC*
CHANDIGARH, September 4:Punjab's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) is taking another significant step towards citizen-friendly healthcare, with the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, enabling beneficiaries to download their health card digitally from the official portal.
The facility means that eligible beneficiaries no longer necessarily need to visit a centre simply to obtain a copy of their health card.
Once their verification/e-KYC and photograph have been completed, the card can be accessed online, downloaded and saved on a mobile phone or printed for future use.
*Three Simple Steps to Access the Card*
*1- Enter Details*
Beneficiaries can locate their family record using their Family ID, Health Card Number, Mobile Number or Aadhaar Number.
*2-Secure OTP Verification*
The beneficiary completes authentication through OTP-based verification linked to the registered mobile/Aadhaar details.
*3-Download the Health Card*
After successful authentication, the verified health card can be viewed and downloaded in PDF format, allowing beneficiaries to keep a digital copy on their phone or obtain a printed copy.
*Important: Complete e-KYC Before Downloading*
Beneficiaries should ensure that their photograph-based verification/e-KYC has been completed before downloading the card.
The digital process allows beneficiaries to verify the updated photograph of family members and complete the required authentication before generating the card.
This is an important safeguard: simply downloading a card without the required verification does not substitute for completing the beneficiary's authentication process.
*A Big Convenience Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana*
The digital card facility adds to the growing convenience offered under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Punjab's healthcare initiative providing cashless treatment coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family per year.
Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is not only expanding financial protection against major medical expenses; initiatives such as this are also making the process of accessing healthcare benefits easier for families.
A health card that can be securely accessed from a mobile phone means less paperwork, fewer unnecessary visits and quicker access to an essential document when healthcare is needed.
*Keep Your Card Ready — Anytime, Anywhere*
Once downloaded, beneficiaries can:
* Keep the card securely on their mobile phone
* Take a printed copy for their records
* Share copies with family members when required
* Present the card when accessing eligible healthcare services
*A Digital Health Initiative With a Human Impact*
The move reflects the broader objective of Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana: making healthcare protection not only comprehensive, but also easier to access. From ₹10 lakh of annual family health cover to a simpler digital card-access mechanism, Punjab's health-security framework is increasingly putting convenience and accessibility at the centre of service delivery.
*Access the Official SHA Punjab Portal*
Beneficiaries should use only the official State Health Agency Punjab website for the service and should never share OTPs with anyone. (sha.punjab.gov.in)
https://sha.punjab.gov.in/shapunjab/
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*MANN GOVT TO FETE 75 TEACHERS WITH STATE AWARDS ON TEACHERS' DAY: HARJOT SINGH BAINS*
*• *Education Minister Bains says selections made through transparent, merit-based process; attributes Punjab's No.1 ranking in school education to teachers' hard work*
Chandigarh, September 4:Saluting teachers as the architects of Punjab's education transformation, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government will honour 75 exceptional educators with the prestigious State Teacher Awards 2026 on Teachers' Day, announced Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains.
S. Harjot Bains said all 75 teachers- 55 for State Teacher Awards, 10 for Young Teacher Awards, 4 for Special Teacher Awards and 6 for Administrative Awards- have been selected strictly on merit as per the State Teacher Awards Policy.
S. Bains said the state government takes immense pride in recognising the invaluable contribution of teachers who shape young minds and serve as architects of a brighter future. These 75 educators have been selected through a transparent, merit-based process, ensuring that excellence and dedication remain the sole criteria for this honour, he added.
The Education Minister emphasised that the awards reflect CM Mann led Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to valuing and motivating educators and fostering a culture of excellence in the state's education sector.
"Teachers are the foundation of our education system and it is our duty to celebrate their relentless efforts. I congratulate all the teachers selected for the prestigious awards and encourage the entire teaching community to continue striving for excellence,” stated S. Bains.
Attributing the success to the hard work and dedication of teachers, S. Harjot Singh Bains said Punjab has been recognised by NITI Aayog as the top-performing state in classroom learning outcomes for 2026-27 and has also ranked No. 1 in the country in the Government of India's PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, surpassing Kerala.
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*PUNJAB PROMOTES 181 TEACHERS AS HEADMASTERS TO STRENGTHEN GOVT SCHOOLS*
Chandigarh, September 4:In a major push to further strengthen government schools, the Punjab Government today promoted 181 teachers including 4 Block Primary Education Officers as Headmasters, filling critical vacancies to ensure dynamic, on-ground leadership in every school under Punjab Sikhya Kranti.
Announcing this here today, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains said the promotions represent a major career growth and opportunity for teachers, while reflecting the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government's commitment to employees welfare.
Of the 181 teachers elevated as Headmasters, 140 belong General category, 23 to SC category, 6 are Persons with Disabilities and 8 are from the backlog PwD quota, besides 4 Block Primary Education Officers also promoted.
"It is a transformative step towards empowering our schools with capable and motivated leadership," S. Bains said, adding that the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring every school in the state has a dynamic headmaster who inspires both teachers and students, as quality education begins with strong leadership.
Extending his heartiest congratulations to the newly promoted Headmasters, the Education Minister said the promotion orders were issued after a rigorous process based on seniority and merit, ensuring all eligible and deserving candidates are elevated to these critical leadership roles. He added that the newly promoted Headmasters will assume charge immediately, bringing fresh energy to government schools.