Chandigarh, March 18:The Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, organised the ‘Aapki Yojana-Aapke Dwar’ programme today at Tagore Theatre, Sector-18, to spread awareness about welfare schemes and ensure effective outreach to citizens. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, attended this programme as Chief Guest, while Shri Satya Pal Jain, Chairperson of the Administrator’s Social Welfare Standing Committee, was the Guest of Honour.

In his address, the Administrator emphasised that the strength of a democratic society lies in uplifting its most vulnerable sections and reiterated the Administration’s commitment to inclusive development. Highlighting initiatives for empowerment of women, protection of children, social security of senior citizens and support for divyangjans, he said these schemes promote dignity, self-reliance and equal opportunities. He also underscored youth awareness efforts, including anti-drug campaigns, and called for active public participation to ensure welfare benefits reach genuine beneficiaries and contribute to the vision of “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Satya Pal Jain appreciated the Department’s efforts and highlighted initiatives such as ₹31,000 assistance under the Shagun Scheme, progress on Majdoor Bhawan, evening OPDs at GMSH-16, proposals for pension enhancement and planning for a new Senior Citizen Home in Sector-49. He said the programme aims to take welfare schemes to the most needy sections.

The initiative focuses on doorstep delivery of schemes and improved accessibility. Out of Chandigarh’s population of about 10.5 lakh, the Department caters to nearly 4.7 lakh women, 1.17 lakh children, over 72,000 senior citizens and around 15,000 persons with disabilities through a strong institutional network of 450 Anganwadi Centres and Crèches, 14 Child Care Institutions, One Stop Centre-Shakti Sadan, working women hostels, senior citizen homes and facilities such as PRAYAAS. Initiatives like the Digital Library “NETRA” and POSHAN Amrit Van were also highlighted.

During FY 2025-26, around ₹69 crore has been utilised out of the ₹72.47 crore budget. Key programmes including Mission Vatsalya and Mission Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0 have recorded high utilisation, enabling infrastructure upgrades, childcare expansion and support to beneficiaries. The programme also featured a documentary on departmental initiatives and reaffirmed the vision of “Empowerment with Dignity and Inclusive Development.”

Also present were Ms. Anuradha S. Chagti, Secretary; Ms. Palika Arora, Director, Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development; former Mayor Shri Devesh Moudgil and other officials of Chandigarh Administration.