*Punjab Government Releases ₹181.23 Crore to Secure Brighter Future of 2.45 Lakh Orphaned and Destitute Children: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*₹432.38 Crore Budget Provision for FY 2026-27; Timely Financial Support Ensuring Care, Education and Dignity for Vulnerable Children*
*Mann Government’s Commitment: No Child Will Be Left Behind Due to Poverty, Neglect or Adversity*
Chandigarh, August 29:Reaffirming its commitment towards the welfare and protection of every section of society, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is taking consistent and concrete steps to ensure a secure childhood, quality education and dignified life for orphaned and destitute children. This was stated by Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.
Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the Punjab Government has made a budget provision of ₹432.38 crore for the scheme during the financial year 2026-27. Out of this allocation, ₹181.23 crore has already been released, ensuring timely and uninterrupted financial assistance to orphaned and destitute children and strengthening the social security framework for their better future.
The Cabinet Minister said that around 2.45 lakh orphaned and destitute children across the State are receiving regular financial assistance under the scheme. This support is helping them continue their education, meet essential needs and move ahead with confidence towards a dignified and self-reliant life.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that orphaned and destitute children are not merely figures in government records, but a shared responsibility of society. She emphasized that the Mann Government is committed to ensuring that no child has to compromise on education, dreams or opportunities due to poverty, difficult circumstances, neglect or the absence of parental support. Every child, she added, deserves protection, opportunities and the chance to progress with dignity.
The Minister further informed that the scheme benefits children below 21 years of age whose parents are either both deceased, both missing from home, or are physically or mentally unable to take care of the family due to their condition.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government is creating a sensitive and inclusive welfare model where every vulnerable child gets the necessary support and opportunity to realise his or her potential. The efforts being made today to secure the future of children will lay the foundation for stronger families, an empowered society and a prosperous Rangla Punjab tomorrow.
Concluding, the Cabinet Minister said that this initiative of the Mann Government goes beyond financial assistance. It reflects the Government’s firm resolve to provide every child with a safe childhood, a dignified life and equal opportunities to grow, learn and contribute towards the progress of Punjab.
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*Raksha Bandhan Brings Families Together at De-Addiction centres Across Punjab, Strengthens Message of Recovery & Hope*
*Families, Soormas and NGOs come together to celebrate Rakhi with patients undergoing de-addiction treatment*
*Recovering patient at Kapurthala centre: “I am sorry for whatever I did, my dear sister; Please forgive me”*
*I have been sober for 10 years, you too can come out of drug addiction: Soorma Pankaj Mahajan*
*Festivals such as Raksha Bandhan remind us that recovery is not individual journey but, at some level, collective responsibility of family: Dr Balbir Singh*
CHANDIGARH, August 29:Raksha Bandhan was celebrated at various government de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across Punjab on Friday, with families joining their loved ones undergoing treatment and recovery from drug abuse.
As part of the Bhagwant Mann government's ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, the celebrations reinforced the message of love and support between siblings while encouraging those undergoing treatment to remain committed to their recovery and return to their loved ones and lead fulfilling lives.
Along with families, various NGOs and Punjab’s Soormas, peer ambassadors who have overcome addiction themselves and now inspire others on the same journey, also participated to motivate and support patients.
At the District De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre in Gurdaspur, Soorma Pankaj Mahajan, who has himself walked the path of recovery, interacted with patients and their families and shared his personal journey, offering encouragement to those undergoing treatment. He said, “We, as part of the 'Yudh Nashean Virudh', are here to motivate you all. The government is playing a huge role in helping you and we are also here to provide support and encouragement. I myself, having gone through drug addiction, can vouch for the fact that we can come out of it. I have been sober for 10 years now and want you to follow the same path. On the occasion of Rakhi, our sisters are also here to support you in your endeavour. Let’s promise them the best.”Letter-writing and expressive-art activities were also organised at various centres, giving patients an opportunity to express their emotions, connect with their families and reflect on their recovery journey.
Rajwinder Singh, name changed, a patient at the Kapurthala De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, thanked his sister and family members through a letter-writing activity for standing firmly by him during his struggle with drug addiction. “When I came here, I realised how wrong I was. I have now given up drugs and returned to my previous life,” Rajwinder wrote.
Another recovering patient at the Kapurthala De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre wrote a letter to his sister. An excerpt from the letter read: “I am sorry for whatever I did, my dear sister. Please forgive me. I have realised my mistakes. I love you all and miss you and will never ever tread on this path to hell.”
Similar Raksha Bandhan celebrations were organised at de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across Punjab. In Kapurthala and SAS Nagar, Raksha Bandhan was celebrated at the District Rehabilitation Centre in collaboration with Brahma Kumaris.
In Patiala, Sarv Prem Foundation and Soormas came together to celebrate Raksha Bandhan at the District De-Addiction Centre. Young girls from the community sent handmade rakhis and words of encouragement to the patients through Sarv Prem Foundation.
Besides, government de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in Bathinda, Pathankot, Nawanshahar, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Amritsar, and other districts also celebrated Raksha Bandhan with participation from the families of recovering drug users.The importance of family in the rehabilitation process is widely acknowledged by experts. Counsellors at government facilities encourage families to participate in large numbers to support and motivate their loved ones through their recovery journey. Family counselling is being conducted at various centres in the state, and families undergo a mandatory psychoeducation session to prepare them for supporting the patient’s recovery at home in the Community Bridge Model (CBM) currently being piloted by the state.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the participation of families in the recovery process was an important part of the state’s fight against substance abuse. He said, “Festivals such as Raksha Bandhan remind us that recovery is not an individual journey. The love, encouragement and faith of families can give a person the strength to overcome one of the most difficult phases of life. Our de-addiction centres must remain places of hope, dignity and rehabilitation, where patients are supported not only medically but also emotionally and socially.”
The initiative seeks to use the spirit of Raksha Bandhan to reinforce a wider message of family support, continued recovery, restoration of relationships and a drug-free future for Punjab.
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*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN EXPRESSES DEEP SORROW OVER NEPAL TRAGEDY*
Chandigarh, 29 August 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic incident in Nepal, which claimed the lives of numerous individuals from both India and Nepal.
The Speaker Sandhwan termed the incident a devastating tragedy that has shaken everyone deeply. Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families, Sardar Sandhwan prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed souls and give courage to the families to bear this irreparable loss.
Assuring full solidarity with the affected individuals, the Speaker urged the families not to panic during this difficult time. Reflecting on the universal message of peace and human welfare, Sardar Sandhwan stated that our Gurus have taught us to pray for the well-being of all humanity. He prayed to God that such a tragedy may never happen again, wishing for a world where families across all nations live safely, happily, and free from such profound sorrow.
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*Harjot Singh Bains Launches 10-Day Statewide Cleanliness Drive from Nangal; Safai Sewaks, Councillors & Citizens Join Hands*
*• Mann Govt’s ‘Mission Clean Punjab’ gets further boost as statewide cleanliness drive begins*
*•From August 29 to September 7, MLAs and officials to remain on the ground every morning to eliminate Garbage Vulnerable Points: Bains*
*•Citizens can upload photographs of Garbage Vulnerable Points on the M-Seva app for prompt action and tracking*
Chandigarh/ Nangal, August 29:Giving a major push to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government's 'Mission Clean Punjab', Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Saturday led from the front by launching the 10-day statewide special cleanliness drive from Nangal, vowing to make Punjab garbage-free by eliminating all Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs).
Joining hands with Safai Sewaks, councillors and citizens who extended wholehearted support, S. Harjot Singh Bains led the cleanliness drive at Nangal. The 10-day campaign, from August 29 to September 7, aims to transform Punjab into a cleaner, greener and more beautiful state through public participation.
Speaking on the occasion, the Local Government Minister said that the special drive would further intensify the Punjab Government’s efforts to eliminate open garbage dumping sites across cities and towns.
“Punjab is the sacred land of our Gurus and saints and a land of immense spiritual power. It is our collective responsibility to keep it clean and beautiful,” said Harjot Singh Bains.
He said that during the next 10 days, MLAs, Deputy Commissioners, Municipal Corporation Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Executive Officers, councillors, NGOs and other stakeholders will actively participate in the statewide campaign. All concerned officials and public representatives will remain on the ground every morning to identify and eliminate Garbage Vulnerable Points.
Harjot Singh Bains said that citizens would also play an important role in making the campaign successful. Residents can use the Punjab Government’s M-Seva app to upload photographs of Garbage Vulnerable Points in their respective areas. A unique ID will be generated for every complaint, enabling citizens to track its status and ensuring prompt action for clearance of the identified site.
The Minister said that several Garbage Vulnerable Points have already been identified across Punjab’s major cities and towns. The special drive will focus on their systematic and permanent elimination through coordinated action by government departments, local bodies and the public.
Calling the initiative a people’s movement rather than merely a government campaign, Harjot Singh Bains urged citizens to actively participate in cleanliness activities in their neighbourhoods.
He also laid special emphasis on respecting the hard work of Safai Sewaks. “Our Safai Sewaks work tirelessly to keep our cities and towns clean. We must support them and ensure that their efforts are not undone by irresponsible dumping of garbage,” he said.
The Minister appealed to residents to download and use the M-Seva app, report Garbage Vulnerable Points and actively contribute towards maintaining cleanliness in their localities.
He said the entire campaign would be closely monitored through a dedicated framework, with special teams constituted at Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils to ensure effective implementation and timely clearance of identified Garbage Vulnerable Points.
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*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN URGES PUNJABIS TO ADOPT ACTIVE LIFESTYLE, ORGANIC DIET, AND GUARD YOUTH AGAINST DRUGS*
Chandigarh, 29 August 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan has extended a passionate appeal to the people of Punjab to shun the sedentary habits and embrace a rigorous daily fitness routine to combat the rising tide of lifestyle diseases.
Expressing deep concern over growing health crises, Speaker Sandhwan stated that a modern, lazy lifestyle is making the population highly vulnerable to critical ailments. He strongly recommended a daily regime consisting of at least 30 minutes of yoga and 30 minutes of walking. To ensure consistency, he urged families to invest in home gym setups wherever possible, emphasizing that daily physical exercise has become an absolute necessity in today’s stressful world.
The Speaker also delivered a strong warning regarding dietary choices, advising citizens to completely shun market sweets and fast food. He stressed that shifting to a diet rich in fruits and organic vegetables is the only viable path to long-term wellness. Highlighting the heavy financial toll of medical negligence and severe illnesses, he noted that hard-earned money should not be lost to expensive hospital procedures, stents, or catastrophic diseases like cancer. Prevention through regular yoga and exercise, he asserted, is the ultimate shield against these life-threatening conditions.
Simultaneously, Speaker Sandhwan turned his attention to the state's social fabric, appealing directly to parents to actively engage with their children to insulate them from the menace of substance abuse. He noted that the youth often fall into the dangerous trap of addiction unknowingly, which completely destroys their physical and mental capacities.
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He urged parents to spend quality time with their children from a young age and equip them with the moral courage to refuse drugs. Parents must teach their children that any acquaintance offering drugs is leading them toward death, not friendship. The Speaker concluded with a powerful call to action, urging every Punjabi to live consciously, prioritize health, and safeguard the future of the state's youth.
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*Demands of Rice Millers Will Be Resolved on Priority Basis - Cabinet Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak*
*Important meeting of all rice millers of Gurdaspur district held*
Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, August 29 :An important meeting of all rice millers of Gurdaspur district was held today at Golden Palm Hotel, in which Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak participated as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, various demands concerning the upcoming paddy procurement season were brought to the notice of Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak by the Association, which he assured would be resolved soon.
During the meeting, Ajay Bedi was unanimously elected as the District President of Gurdaspur by all rice millers.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, President of All India Rice Millers Association Tarsem Saini and President of Punjab Rice Millers Association Gurdeep Singh Cheema heartily congratulated Ajay Bedi.
On this occasion, Ajay Bedi was also felicitated by Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak.
On this occasion, various demands were put forward by the Association, including abolition of one percent tax levied on rice and ensuring storage space in godowns before the paddy procurement season, which the Cabinet Minister assured to resolve soon.
On this occasion, all the rice millers extended best wishes to Ajay Bedi for his new responsibility and expressed hope that he will represent the miller community in a strong and effective manner.
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