Chandigarh, November 16:
In a significant step toward strengthening social welfare services in Punjab, the State Cabinet has approved several key decisions related to the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development. Sharing this information, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed gratitude to Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and the entire Cabinet, stating that these decisions will provide major relief to the weaker and needy sections of society.
Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the Cabinet has approved the filling of 16 posts of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs). She stated that this will significantly improve the monitoring and implementation of various welfare schemes for women and children being run by the Central and State Governments. With these posts filled, these programmes will be executed more effectively at the grassroots level.
In this connection, Dr. Baljit Kaur further added that the process to fill the 19 already vacant CDPO posts was already underway. With the Cabinet’s approval for 16 new posts, a total of 35 CDPO posts will now be filled through the PPSC. This, she said, will greatly enhance the functioning and efficiency of child development services across the state.
For the welfare of the transgender community, the Cabinet has taken an important decision to grant the Department of Social Security the full authority to frame and amend rules related to transgender matters. Dr. Baljit Kaur said this will enable more sensitive, effective and timely implementation of policies for the transgender community.
Prioritizing the health needs of underprivileged girls and women, the Cabinet has approved ₹53 crore for the distribution of sanitary pads through Anganwadi Workers. Dr. Baljit Kaur said this initiative will play an important role in improving health, hygiene and menstrual awareness among lakhs of girls and women across Punjab.
Speaking about the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the present government is giving top priority to the protection, dignity and social support of the vulnerable sections. The latest Cabinet decisions reflect CM Mann’s unwavering commitment to public welfare and his visionary approach toward bringing real, ground-level reforms for the people of Punjab.
