*Punjab Government Strengthens Senior Citizen Welfare with ₹598.75 Lakh State Action Plan: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*State-level 'Sade Bazurg Sada Maan' campaign to be launched from Sri Muktsar Sahib on October 1*
*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government committed to ensuring dignity, healthcare, security and holistic well-being for every elderly citizen*
*Stakeholder departments finalise coordinated roadmap to strengthen geriatric care and welfare services across Punjab*
Chandigarh, September 1:Reaffirming the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to ensuring a life of dignity, care and security for every senior citizen, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today chaired a high-level stakeholders' meeting to finalise the implementation strategy for the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAP) 2026-27 across Punjab. The meeting focused on strengthening healthcare, caregiving, social security and mental well-being of elderly citizens through a coordinated multi-departmental approach.
Announcing another landmark initiative, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government will launch the State-level "Sade Bazurg Sada Maan" campaign from Sri Muktsar Sahib on October 1, coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons. She said the campaign aims to foster a culture of respect and compassion towards senior citizens while spreading awareness about their rights, welfare schemes and healthcare services. It will also encourage families, educational institutions, youth organisations, community groups and local bodies to actively contribute towards ensuring that elderly citizens receive the love, care and recognition they truly deserve.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said, "The hands that nurtured families and helped build our society deserve love, respect and dignity in their later years. Looking after our senior citizens is not merely a government responsibility but our collective social duty." She said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is making sustained efforts to ensure that every senior citizen has access to quality healthcare, emotional support, social security and opportunities to lead a healthy, active and dignified life.
Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that a financial provision of ₹598.75 lakh has been earmarked for implementing the State Action Plan during 2026-27. She said the Action Plan encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including free medical check-up and health assessment camps, cataract screening and surgeries, strengthening geriatric healthcare services, training of geriatric caregivers in collaboration with the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM), digital and financial literacy programmes, productive ageing initiatives, awareness campaigns, inter-generational bonding activities, wellness programmes, media outreach and other interventions aimed at improving the overall quality of life of senior citizens.
The Minister directed the Health Department to organise regular health camps for senior citizens to ensure timely diagnosis, treatment, eye care services and referral support wherever required. She also stressed the need to expand the availability of trained geriatric caregivers so that elderly citizens receive professional, compassionate and need-based care within their communities.
Dr. Baljit Kaur directed all stakeholder departments to work in close coordination and implement the State Action Plan in a time-bound and result-oriented manner so that every eligible senior citizen across Punjab benefits from the welfare initiatives. She emphasised that effective inter-departmental convergence, regular monitoring and accountability would be crucial for ensuring efficient implementation of the Action Plan at the grassroots level.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Sheena Aggarwal, Mission Director, Punjab Skill Development Mission, Smt. Amrit Singh, Director Health Services, Dr. Hitender Kaur, besides senior officers from AYUSH, Information & Public Relations and other stakeholder departments. The participants deliberated on district-wise implementation strategies, capacity building, awareness activities, utilisation of funds, monitoring mechanisms and inter-departmental convergence for effective implementation of the Action Plan across the State.
Expressing confidence in the collective efforts of all stakeholder departments, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the coordinated implementation of the Action Plan would significantly improve the quality of life of senior citizens across Punjab. She added that the State-level "Sade Bazurg Sada Maan" campaign would strengthen public participation in caring for the elderly, reinforce the values of respect and gratitude towards senior citizens and further advance the Punjab Government's vision of building a compassionate, inclusive and "Rangla Punjab."
=============================
*Punjab’s GST Collections Surge 11.84% as SGST Cash Revenue Records Highest Growth Among Major States: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Punjab Leads Major States With 18.77% SGST Cash Growth, Revenue Collections Growing By Leaps & Bounds: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Punjab’s Gross GST Revenue Rises 17% To ₹12,861 Crore In April-August, Credits to Honest Taxpayers & Enforcement: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*‘Every Fraud Network Will Be Traced, GST Fraudsters Beware’: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH; 1 September, 2026:Striking a perfect balance between facilitating business and enforcing the law, Punjab has painted a picture of robust economic health this August. The state has not only registered an impressive 11.84% year-on-year growth in net GST revenue but has also led major Indian states with a stellar 18.77% surge in State GST (SGST) cash collections.
Sharing these milestones on Tuesday, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The state’s financial collections are growing by leaps and bounds. The state recorded a net GST revenue of ₹2,406.33 crore in August 2026, a substantial leap from the ₹2,151.63 crore collected in August 2025. This increase of ₹254.70 crore translates to a solid 11.84% growth.”
Highlighting the contribution of SGST cash collections, he added, “SGST cash collection rose from ₹750.37 crore to ₹891.24 crore. This jump of ₹140.87 crore reflects an 18.77% growth, the highest SGST cash growth reported by any major state in the country for the month.”
For the April to August 2026 period, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Punjab’s gross GST revenue reached ₹12,861.42 crore, compared to ₹10,971.62 crore during the corresponding period in 2025. This translates to an increase of ₹1,889.80 crore, charting a steady 17% growth rate. The combined collection swelled by 15.74%, rising from ₹619.18 crore in August 2025 to ₹716.66 crore in August 2026.”
Emphasising the role of honest taxpayers while warning against financial malpractices, he stated, “To nip tax evasion in the bud, the department has significantly stepped up its enforcement actions.”
Giving details of the enforcement operations, the Finance Minister said, “On August 20, 2026, three cases were registered at Mandi Gobindgarh under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for GST evasion. The offenders brought to light include Narinder Singh, proprietor of M/s N.K. Traders in Motia Khan, Gobindgarh (FIR No. 277); Kingraj, proprietor of M/s KH Traders in Gobindgarh, originally from Patrewala in Fazilka (FIR No. 278); and Hanish, proprietor of M/s Hanish Enterprises in Gobindgarh, hailing from Pinjore in Panchkula (FIR No. 279).”
Describing a separate operation by the State GST Mobile Wing, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “In a separate, high-stakes operation, the State GST Mobile Wing caught wind of and dismantled a suspected bogus-refund network involving a firm identified as M/s Aone International. Catching the culprits red-handed, this decisive action led to the recovery of ₹1 crore in cash and the freezing of approximately ₹18 lakh in a bank account. Furthermore, refund applications amounting to a massive ₹5 crore were stopped pending verification.”
He further stated, “This investigation revolves around bogus purchases, wrongful availment of input tax credit, and brazen attempts to siphon refunds from the public exchequer. Further investigations are underway to get to the bottom of this racket, identify all connected entities, and recover every single penny of the remaining amount.”
Summarizing the dual approach of the state, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema was crystal clear in his resolve. He said, “Punjab’s strong revenue performance reflects the growing trust of honest taxpayers, sustained economic activity, and a technology-driven tax administration. At the same time, our message to those using bogus billing, fake input tax credit, or fraudulent refund chains is unambiguous: every such network will be traced, public revenue will be protected, and action will be taken strictly in accordance with law. The additional revenue will strengthen the state’s capacity to fund public services and development.”
Giving credit where credit is due, the Finance Minister concluded by giving a well-deserved pat on the back to compliant taxpayers and the dedicated officers of the Excise and Taxation Department for the vastly improved collections. He assured the public that the Punjab Government would continue to walk the talk, combining taxpayer facilitation with data-led scrutiny, aggressive field enforcement, and prompt action against organized tax fraud.
---------
===========================
*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Covers 12,467 Sepsis, Septic Shock Treatments Worth ₹51.58 Cr.*
*Timely Recognition Vital as Sepsis Can Turn Life-Threatening Within Hours: Dr Balbir Singh*
*Newborns Particularly Vulnerable as Sepsis Can Trigger Rapid Deterioration: Dr Shashi Kant Dhir, Professor & Head, Department of Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot*
CHANDIGARH, September 1:An infection that may initially appear routine can become life-threatening within hours when it progresses to sepsis and septic shock.
Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) has recorded 12,467 treatments for sepsis and septic shock, worth ₹51.58 crore, till September 1, highlighting both the medical and financial burden of the condition.
Of these, severe sepsis accounted for 10,961 treatments worth ₹44.33 crore, while 1,506 septic-shock treatments involved ₹7.25 crore. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Almost any infection can trigger sepsis, with infections of the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract among the common sources.
Sepsis is not simply an infection. As the body’s response becomes dysregulated, organs may begin to malfunction. In severe cases, falling blood pressure and inadequate blood flow can progress to septic shock.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh stressed the importance of timely recognition. “Sepsis can become progressively more dangerous. When it leads to serious circulatory problems and inadequate blood flow to vital organs, the patient may progress to septic shock,” he said.
Patients with septic shock may require intensive care, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, medicines to support blood pressure, oxygen or mechanical ventilation and, in some cases, support for failing organs. Such treatment can quickly become expensive, making financial protection particularly important for families.
The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually to eligible families, helping reduce the financial barrier to critical treatment.
The scheme’s sepsis figures underline how such financial protection can matter when treatment requirements escalate rapidly.
The threat is especially acute among newborns. Dr Shashi Kant Dhir, Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, said subtle changes in a newborn should not be ignored. “In newborns, even a small change in behaviour can be an important warning sign,” he said, adding that premature and low-birth-weight babies could deteriorate within hours.
Poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, feeling cold and changes in breathing can signal serious illness in a newborn and require urgent medical assessment.
Antibiotics remain essential when a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed, but inappropriate use can fuel antimicrobial resistance. Self-medication, using leftover antibiotics or stopping treatment without medical advice can make infections harder to treat.
The CDC identifies confusion, difficulty breathing, extreme pain or discomfort, fever or unusually low temperature, clammy skin and rapid heart rate among warning signs requiring urgent attention.
Sepsis therefore demands action on two fronts: rapid medical recognition and treatment, and protection against catastrophic healthcare costs. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana data underline the scale of the financial burden, while the clinical message is simple: when a patient with an infection suddenly deteriorates, delay can cost both money and, more importantly, a life
=========================================
*FROM QUEUES TO CLICKS: AMAN ARORA LAUNCHES UNIFIED PORTAL “DIGI PUNJAB” FOR 300 SERVICES*
*• All 800+ govt services to be integrated on portal in next two months: Aman Arora*
*• “Good Governance is my mission”: Aman Arora says, portal to ensure time-bound services without any hassle & sifarish*
*• Deadline fixed for every service, delay will reflect on concerned officer’s record, says GG&IT Minister*
*•Govt will now reach you, citizens won’t have to chase govt: Aman Arora*
CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 1:In a major push towards transparent and citizen-centric governance, Punjab Good Governance and Information Technology Minister Mr. Aman Arora on Tuesday launched 'Digi.Punjab.gov.in'- the state's unified digital portal that brings over 300 government services across 12 departments under a single, mobile-friendly platform, ending the era of fragmented portals, manual files and repeated visits to government offices.
After launching the portal at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) here, Mr. Aman Arora said that citizens can now easily access a wide range of essential public services spanning multiple departments. Key offerings include vital health documents like birth and death certificates, medical fitness certificates, home affairs services such as the issuance and renewal of arms licenses, and justice services for marriage registrations under the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act and Anand Marriage Act. Additionally, residents can seamlessly utilize labor welfare schemes, local government property transfers, medical education registrations, police verification services including tenant and servant checks, revenue certificates (such as income, residence, and backward area certificates), social justice caste certificates, social security pensions and water supply connection sanctions.
The portal, which will cover all government services (over 800) in the next two months, fixes a timeline for every application, he said.
"Every officer, from top to bottom, will have clear deadlines. Any delay will reflect on their record," Mr. Aman Arora said, while asserting that corruption thrives only where there is no accountability or transparency, and this system will put an end to both.
The GG&IT Minister emphasised that good governance means a common man gets services without any hassle or bribe. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is firmly committed to this principle. The new portal, he said, ensures end-to-end digitisation with real-time tracking and a strong accountability mechanism to remove bureaucratic hurdles and check corruption.
Mr. Aman Arora said, "I remember, not too long ago, sitting in public and hearing the same complaints again and again- 'Sir, pata nahi file kahan atki hai', 'teesri baar chakkar laga raha hoon'. Today, I am happy to say, we are answering those complaints, not with promises, but with a portal."
“Digi Punjab” is not merely an IT project but reflects the CM Mann led state government's collective resolve to put citizens above files, Mr. Aman Arora emphasised, while stating, "The daily-wage worker no longer has to lose a day's pay to get a certificate. A student in a border village will have the same access as someone sitting in Chandigarh. A senior citizen can apply from home instead of standing in queues. Every application is now tracked, timed and answerable- no file will simply "disappear" anymore- and wherever technology cannot yet reach, Sewa Kendras and doorstep delivery service 1076 will continue to act as a bridge."
The GG&IT Minister said this marks a complete break from the past, when only 30 services were truly online, citizens were forced to navigate a maze of fragmented portals, chase files and rely on agents amid siloed systems and manual paperwork. Digi Punjab flips the model — bringing 300 citizen-centric services onto one phone-friendly platform with real-time tracking via mobile, web and WhatsApp, while for officials it clears file clutter, removes redundancies and fixes timelines at every level. It is a shift from citizens chasing the government to governance reaching the citizen.
Highlighting the robust back-end preparedness for the initiative, Mr. Arora said that over the last four years, the state has digitised the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana covering over 76 lakh beneficiaries and delivered over 2 crore QR-coded certificates via SMS and WhatsApp. Over 45,000 patwaris, sarpanches and councillors have processed more than one crore applications right from their mobile phones, he added.
"Good governance is my mission. Its not just about technology, it is about restoring people's trust in the system and that is exactly what we are delivering,” he added, while urging the people of Punjab that this portal belongs to you. Use it, question it.
In a message to the bureaucracy, Mr. Aman Arora said, "Let me be clear to every officer present here — this portal will succeed only if you make it succeed. It is not a website that delivers governance, it is you. Train your staff, guide the citizens and treat every complaint received on this portal as your own family's complaint."
Chief Commissioner of Punjab Transparency and Accountability Commission Mr. VK Janjua, Additional Chief Secretary GG&IT department Mr. DK Tiwari, Director Mr. Vishesh Sarangal and senior officials from other departments were also attended the portal launch event.