Dr. Baljit Kaur directs to release Rs. 28 Crore for Pregnant women and Lactating Mothers

Chandigarh, December 18-Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, has issued orders to immediately release Rs. 28 crore to about 70,000 beneficiaries to ensure the nutrition and good health of pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Providing more information on this, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that the Government is consistently working to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers. She mentioned that, during October 2024, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 22 crore has been transferred directly into the accounts of 65478 women beneficiaries under Matru Vandana Yojana scheme. This assistance was provided for the birth of the first child and the birth of a girl child as the second child.

The Cabinet Minister stated that the Government provides Rs 5,000 in two installments (3000+2000) to women aged 19 years and above on the birth of their first living child. Additionally, Rs 6,000 is granted on the birth of a second child if it is a girl. This financial assistance is provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana to improve the nutritional and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers, subject to specific conditions. The primary objective of this scheme is to offer partial compensation to women to enhance their health before and after childbirth.

The Cabinet Minister further explained that the scheme aims to improve the declining sex ratio at birth of girls in the state. She also mentioned that forms for this financial assistance are filled out by Anganwadi workers at all Anganwadi centers in the state. She stated that the financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries' bank or post office accounts. She emphasized that to avail of this benefit, every beneficiary must have an Aadhaar card linked to their bank account.

Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed the department's officials to ensure that eligible beneficiaries across the state have their forms filled out so that the maximum number of women can benefit from the scheme. She also advised beneficiaries to contact their district’s Anganwadi Centers, the Child Development Project Office and the District Program Officer's office for further information.

She concluded by reaffirming that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is consistently striving to ensure the good health of women and children.

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FARISHTEY SCHEME PROVES BOON IN SAVING LIVES, 223 ACCIDENT VICTIMS RECEIVE FREE TREATMENT

— PUNJAB GOVT’S FLAGSHIP FARISHTEY SCHEME AIMS TO PROVIDING IMMEDIATE TREATMENT TO ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIMS TO SAVE LIVES

— AS PART OF FARISHTEY SCHEME, PERSON TAKING ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIM TO HOSPITAL WILL BE HONOURED AND REWARDED WITH RS 2000

— SO FAR, 66 "FARISHTAS" HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH STATE HEALTH AGENCY PUNJAB: CEO SHA PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH, December 18:The Farishtey Scheme, launched by the Punjab government to provide immediate, hassle-free treatment to road accident victims, has proven to be a boon in saving precious lives.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), approximately 1,400 road accidents and 400 deaths occur every day in India, with Punjab alone accounting for around 5,000 accidental deaths annually. The Farishtey Scheme aims to address this critical issue by providing comprehensive treatment to accident victims, without any capping on the amount.

The state flagship scheme, aimed at reducing the mortality and morbidity rates resulting from injuries sustained in roadside accidents and to provide immediate, hassle-free treatment in government and empaneled private hospitals, was notified on January 25, 2024. The scheme is applicable to all the victims and sufferers of road accidents that happened in the territory of the state of Punjab irrespective of the caste, creed, nationality and place of birth of the victims and provides comprehensive treatment to accident victims, without any capping on the amount.

Divulging details, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) State Health Agency (SHA) Punjab Ms Babita said that to encourage common people to come forth and help accident victims and save the lives of the victims, such “Farishteys” are being felicitated with cash rewards, commendation certificates and provided immunity from legal complications and police inquiries. “Any person who voluntarily rescue the accident victims and help them in saving their lives, will be considered as ‘Farishta’ and conferred with commendation certificate and a cash prize of Rs 2000,” she said.

The CEO said that since its launch, the scheme has provided free medical treatment to as many as 223 accident victims, showcasing its effectiveness in reducing mortality rates resulting from road accidents. So far, 66 "Farishtas" (good Samaritans) have been registered with the State Health Agency (SHA) Punjab, she added.

She said that the Chief Minister of Punjab has recognised the selfless efforts of 16 Farishtas, by awarding them a cash incentive of Rs 2000 per victim on August 15, 2024, and a commendation certificates, with their awards aptly named the "Farishey Award". The remaining Farishtas have also been recognised, receiving their awards from the Deputy Commissioners in their respective districts, she added.

Under the Farishtey Scheme, 494 hospitals, including 90 tertiary care hospitals, have been specifically empaneled to cover a 30 km stretch along national and state highways/roads, ensuring treatment during the critical golden hour.

Ms Babita said that these hospitals are integrated with the Mapple application (a mobile app), a mobile app that helps the people to search and navigate to the nearby empaneled hospital.

The scheme is also linked to emergency helplines, including 108, 1033, and 112 Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF), which use IT systems to locate the nearest hospital for quick transportation, with hospitals within a 30 km radius providing immediate care within the golden hour, she said, while adding that the 108-ambulance staff have been trained to manage and transport accident victims to the nearest hospitals.

The CEO said that if an empaneled hospital demands payment, beneficiaries can file a complaint with the SHA Punjab or register their grievance at 104 Medical helplines.

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‘ARPAN SAMAROH’: JALANDHAR COMMISSIONERATE POLICE RETURNS SEIZED PROPERTIES WORTH ₹13-CR TO RIGHTFUL OWNERS

— BELONGINGS INCLUDING VEHICLES, JEWELLERY, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, ETC FROM 583 CASES OVER PAST YEAR RETURNED TO THEIR OWNERS: DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ADDITIONALLY, 100 LOST MOBILE PHONES TRACED AND HANDED OVER TO THEIR OWNERS

— INITIATIVE WAS DESIGNED TO FOSTER TRUST AMONG CITIZENS BY RETURNING HARD-EARNED BELONGINGS THAT HAD BEEN EITHER STOLEN, SNATCHED, OR INVOLVED IN VARIOUS CRIMINAL CASES: CP SWAPAN SHARMA

CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR, December 18:In a significant move to strengthen police-public relations, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have successfully returned seized case properties worth over Rs 13 crores to their rightful owners, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

A special event “Arpan Samaroh” was organised under the leadership of Commissioner of Police (CP) Jalandhar Swapan Sharma at Police Lines in Jalandhar.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that as part of the event, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police successfully returned 413 vehicles, 85 mobile phones, numerous household items, jewellery, and other domestic goods, which had been part of 583 different cases registered in the city over the past year.

Additionally, around 100 lost smartphones, valued at Rs 20 lakhs, were also handed over to their owners after being traced through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, he added.

The DGP said that Punjab Police continues its efforts to ensure justice, security, and trust, working proactively to safeguard the interests of the community.

Sharing more details, CP Swapan Sharma said that this initiative was designed to foster trust among citizens by returning hard-earned belongings that had been either stolen, snatched, or involved in various criminal cases.

He said that the camp saw the participation of numerous complainants, who attended eagerly to reclaim their lost properties. The event was supported by 14 jurisdictional Station House Officers (SHOs) and SHOs of the Women’s Police Station, who worked diligently to ensure the return of the seized items to their rightful owners, he added.

Emphasising the importance of returning seized properties in a timely manner, the CP said that this ensures the property retains its value and remains in a usable condition.

Meanwhile, the grateful recipients expressed their appreciation to the police for their dedicated efforts. Baljeet Kaur, one of the beneficiaries, said, “I had lost all hope of recovering my stolen smartphone, but thanks to the Jalandhar Police, I have got it back.” Similar sentiments were echoed by other beneficiaries, including Manjit Singh, Jyoti, Rakesh Kumar, and Arvind Kumar.

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