Major Cabinet Decisions to Strengthen Social Security: Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur

*Historic Welfare Measures for Transgender Community and Women: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

*Dr. Baljit Kaur Expresses Gratitude to CM Mann for His Unwavering Commitment to Public Welfare*

*Cabinet Approves ₹53 Crore for Sanitary Pad Distribution for Needy Girls and Women: Dr. Baljit Kaur*

Chandigarh, November 16:In a significant step toward strengthening social welfare services in Punjab, the State Cabinet has approved several key decisions related to the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development. Sharing this information, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed gratitude to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and the entire Cabinet, stating that these decisions will provide major relief to the weaker and needy sections of society.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the Cabinet has approved the filling of 16 posts of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs). She stated that this will significantly improve the monitoring and implementation of various welfare schemes for women and children being run by the Central and State Governments. With these posts filled, these programmes will be executed more effectively at the grassroots level.

In this connection, Dr. Baljit Kaur further added that the process to fill the 19 already vacant CDPO posts was already underway. With the Cabinet’s approval for 16 new posts, a total of 35 CDPO posts will now be filled through the PPSC. This, she said, will greatly enhance the functioning and efficiency of child development services across the state.

For the welfare of the transgender community, the Cabinet has taken an important decision to grant the Department of Social Security the full authority to frame and amend rules related to transgender matters. Dr. Baljit Kaur said this will enable more sensitive, effective and timely implementation of policies for the transgender community.

Prioritizing the health needs of underprivileged girls and women, the Cabinet has approved ₹53 crore for the distribution of sanitary pads through Anganwadi Workers. Dr. Baljit Kaur said this initiative will play an important role in improving health, hygiene and menstrual awareness among lakhs of girls and women across Punjab.

Speaking about the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the present government is giving top priority to the protection, dignity and social support of the vulnerable sections. The latest Cabinet decisions reflect CM Mann’s unwavering commitment to public welfare and his visionary approach toward bringing real, ground-level reforms for the people of Punjab.

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Laljit Singh Bhullar Launches Action Plan for Hit and Run Compensation Scheme on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Chandigarh, November 16:On the occasion of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which is observed globally on the third Sunday of November, Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar convened a special meeting with officials of the Lead Agency on Road Safety and representatives of civil society organizations. The meeting, held here today, marked the formal launch of the Action Plan for the Hit and Run Compensation Scheme in the state. The day is observed in memory of road crash victims, in support of their bereaved families and to strengthen collective efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Addressing the gathering, the Transport Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment to reducing road crash fatalities and improving support mechanisms for victims and their families. He said that the Action Plan reflects Punjab’s resolve to expand awareness and ensure timely assistance under the Hit and Run Compensation Scheme, a key component of the state’s road safety system. Under the Hit and Run Compensation Scheme, 2022, financial assistance of ₹2,00,000 is provided in cases of death and ₹50,000 in cases of grievous injury, where the offending vehicle or driver remains untraceable.

Citing Punjab Traffic Police data, the Minister informed that there are 3,324 pending hit-and-run cases from 2022 and 2023, including 2,510 fatalities and 1,317 grievously injured persons. He assured that the government will make all efforts to clear pending cases from these years by March 31, 2026, ensuring relief to affected families.

R. Venkat Ratnam, IAS (Retd.), Director General of the Lead Agency on Road Safety, said that the Lead Agency has drawn up a schedule of training and capacity-building sessions across six district headquarters—Jalandhar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Bathinda, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, and Patiala—covering nearby districts as well. These sessions, to be held from November 25 to December 31, 2025, will train SDMs, SPs/DSPs (Traffic), Civil Surgeons, and RTOs in processing and uploading case documents quickly to speed up compensation disbursal. The training will be conducted by Harpreet Singh, national awardee for road safety, in collaboration with Avoid Accident NGO and other empanelled road safety organizations. A detailed checklist has been prepared to streamline file processing.

Paramjit Singh, Joint Director, Lead Agency (Road Safety), informed that after completion of the training programme, the Lead Agency will organize facilitation camps in partnership with NGOs such as Mayank Foundation, Muktsar Welfare Club, and Avoid Accident to help claimants complete documentation on the spot and speed up compensation delivery. These initiatives reflect the Transport Department’s continued efforts not only to strengthen road safety measures but also to protect the dignity and rights of road crash victims and their families. With a coordinated and compassionate approach, the Punjab Government aims to make compensation processes more accessible, efficient and impactful.

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Speaker invites AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal to attend special session of PVS to be held at Sri Anandpur Sahib

Chandigarh 16 November 2025:As part of the celebrations dedicated to the 350th centenary of the martyrdom of Sahib-e-Kamal Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Punjab Government is organizing a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for the first time outside Chandigarh on the holy land of Sri Anandpur Sahib. In this context, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan extended an invitation letter to the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party and former Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal.

S. Sandhwan said that the sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is inspiring not only for the Sikh community, but also for the entire humanity. The 350th centenary of this great sacrifice made for secularism, religious freedom, peace and human rights is an important historical moment for the entire world. The organization of a special session in Anandpur Sahib by the Punjab Government is a historic step which will remain memorable moment for centuries.

Speaker Sandhwan said that during this special session, There will be a special discussion on the unique sacrifice and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.

All MLAs, representatives of various religious institutions and special guests will be present during the special session.

He said that the beginning of this special session from Anandpur Sahib, which is the birthplace of Khalsa, will further strengthen the spiritual heritage of Punjab and will send a common message of peace, brotherhood and humanity to the world.

Presenting the invitation letter to Shri Kejriwal, S. Sandhwan hoped that he would join the special session to participate in this historic moment.

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IPRM Harjot Singh Bains Mourns Sad Demise of Senior Journalist Nalin Acharya

Chandigarh, November 16 :Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of senior journalist Sh. Nalin Acharya. The 67-year-old Sh. Nalin, who was the owner and editor of “Him Prabha” newspaper and a former President of the Chandigarh Press Club, passed away this morning. He is survived by his wife, a son, daughter-In-law and two grandchildren.

In his heartfelt condolence message, S. Bains highlighted Sh. Nalin Acharya's contributions in the field of journalism, religious & social activities. His leadership at the Chandigarh Press Club and his stewardship of Him Prabha have left an indelible mark.

Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and relatives, S. Harjot Singh Bains prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed noble soul and give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.