IEP Chandigarh/ Ludhiana, April 17
Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Punjab Dr. Baljit Kaur today distributed grants to all NGOs working for the betterment of society under PM6 scheme. She not only distributed the grants, but also encouraged them to work wholeheartedly so that maximum people can be benefitted. A function in this regard was organised at Bachat Bhawan, here and was also attended by MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Director, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab Mrs. Madhavi Kataria, Special DGP Mrs. Gurpreet Kaur Deo, CP Ludhiana Mr Mandeep Singh Sidhu, ADC (D) Mr Amit Panchal, besides several others. On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the grants which were given by the previous governments on written demand to the NGO, that system has been completely stopped by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government. She said that now, the NGOs have been selected after following the interview process. She said that now the department would keep a check on works carried out by these NGOs with the help of these grants. She said that the grants will be regularly checked either on monthly basis or by surprise visits by officials of the department. She said that further grants would be issued to the NGOs if their work is found satisfactory and in case the department guidelines are not followed, strict legal action would be taken against them. She also clarified that if these grants are used by these organizations for any political work instead of welfare of the people, legal action will also be taken against that NGO. During the meeting with representatives from NGOs, Police, Health and Education departments, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur spoke specifically about the empowerment of women and announced that training will be imparted to all the employees working in the Sakhi One Stop Centres so that our women can be made aware of the benefits of these one stop centres. Dr. Baljit Kaur said that “Mahila Mitras”, who are serving as counsellors at Sakhi One Stop Centres, were specially invited in this meeting. She said that by contacting the “Mahila Mitras”, our women who face domestic abuse or those who do not know as to go where for help, they can get immediate help by contacting a Sakhi one-stop centre. The Cabinet Minister instructed the officials to protect children from labour and begging and to strengthen the Act in this regard. Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized on the empowerment of women and said that women sarpanches and panches should work independently. Women sarpanch and panch and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who perform exceptionally will also be honoured by the Punjab government. The Cabinet Minister said that the Aam Aadmi Party government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is working tirelessly for the welfare of the people and they are directly benefiting the common people by launching several pro-people schemes.
