IEP Chandigarh, November 9

          The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has distributed Rs. 10.40 crore to the pregnant women and lactating mothers to improve the nutrition and health status.

          Giving more information in this regard, Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the government is continuously working to improve the nutrition and health status of pregnant women and lactating mothers. She said that under this scheme, there are a total of 60912 women beneficiaries in the state, to whom 10.40 crores have been distributed so far and the state government has reserved a budget of 36.60 crores for this scheme.

          Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that earlier benefit of Rs. 5000/- was given in three installments (Rs. 1000+2000+2000) to women aged 19 years and above on the birth of their first living child Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. But April 2022 will be given in two installments of five thousand rupees under maternity benefit to women belonging to socially and economically weaker sections of the society. This assistance is given to pregnant women and lactating mothers to uplift their nutritional and health status subject to fulfillment of special conditions.

Dr.  Baljit Kaur said that under this scheme earlier benefit of 5000 rupees was given in three installments, which after April 2022 will be given in two installments of five thousand rupees under maternity benefit to women belonging to socially and economically backward sections of the society.  First installment Rs.3000/- on registration of pregnancy and at least Anganwadi before birth a check-up at the Center (AWC) within 6 months from the date of LMP on identification of health facilities approved by the State/UT and second installment of Rs.2000/- on birth of child.  Registration is eligible when the child receives the first dose of BCG, OPV, DPT and Hepatitis-B or equivalent.

          The Minister added that the financial assistance is credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which were being linked with Aadhaar

IEP Chandigarh, November 9

Elaborating on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government’s achievement and future plan to eradicate TB by 2025, Health and Family Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra on Wednesday said that eight districts of Punjab has already received bronze category certification and the department has set an aim to get five more districts in silver category and three more in bronze category in the coming year.

          Revealing this, the Health Minister said that for the year 2022-23 department has set a target to identify and treat 70,000 patients. He said that Punjab Health and Family Welfare department has organised a two day workshop at the MGSIPA Chandigarh with an aim to eradicate TB by bringing down the new incidence of TB cases by more than 80%. He said that this workshop has been organized as a part of the nationwide efforts by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to find, test and treat more and more TB cases by actively collaborating with partners, private sector, patients and communities to measure progress and identify gaps for course correction.

          Mr. Jauramajra further said that the department has recently conducted a state level meeting of about 40 business houses of the state and appealed to them to enroll themselves as Ni-kshay Mitras. He instructed the DTOs to get in touch with them and take this to the next level. He reiterated that the target of TB elimination may seem huge and difficult but with collective efforts it would be achieved.

          Giving details regarding workshop, Mission Director National Health Mission Abhinav Trikha said that this workshop was attended by state and district health officials, faculty members cum nodal officers from IAPSM. He said that during this workshop the officials were instructed to work in tandem to achieve the desired target of TB elimination within the set timeframe and appreciation certificates have been awarded to the health officials and workers of the eight districts namely Fatehgarh Sahib, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Ferozepur,Moga, Roopnagar and Tarn Taran for their efforts which resulted in reduction in incidence of new TB cases.  He said that the department has received feedback from the participants for successful implementation of the NTEP besides assuring the District TB Officers to resolve their issues.

          Divulging details regarding the NTEP, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Ranjit Singh Ghotra stated that this programme provides free diagnostic services and free treatment to all notified TB patients in public system as well as private sector. He said that the Programme also provides monthly 500 rupees to all patients for nutritional support under Nikshay Poshan Yojana through DBT.

IEP Chandigarh, November 9

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said that the Punjab government would strengthen the cyber security initiatives to safeguard common people from online frauds with the help of latest cyber security measures.

          During a meeting with young entrepreneur Trishneet Arora, founder and CEO of TAC Security, who called him at his official residence here, the Finance Minister said that the Punjab government has been working to create a dynamic check against the cyber frauds. He said that apart from this, the Punjab government has been using modern cyber security measures for online payment of its various services.

          Trishneet Arora while appreciating the cyber security measures being used by the Punjab government said that the government’s seriousness towards cyber security is the need of the hour. He shared his experiences in this direction and suggested several tools and measures. He said that strengthening the cyber security system would also benefit in maintaining the law and order situation in the state.

          Cheema took note of Arora’s suggestions on cyber security and asked him to keep in touch for further discussions on this issue. The Finance Minister asked him to contribute his best for the welfare of the state while adding that young entrepreneurs like him were encouragement to the youth of the country.

IEP SAS Nagar,  November 9

On the occasion of Legal Services Day, a Legal Aid Clinic was inaugurated at Amity University, SAS Nagar by Sh. Harpal Singh, District & Sessions Judge, SAS Nagar and Sh. Arun Gupta, Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority. Legal Services Day was celebrated by Punjab State Legal Services Authority and District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar by organizing a Mega Legal Services Camp at Amity University, Mohali as per NALSA module. In the Legal Services Camp, stalls of District Legal Services Authority, Food & Civil Supplies, Development of Women and Children Department, Cooperative Bank, Department of Social Justice Empowerment, Rural Department, Health and Family Department, Employment Department, Municipal Corporation, Mohali, BDPO office and Punjab National Bank were installed for making the people aware about the services and for processing their applications. During camp, 129 applications were received whereas 1236 applications had already been received during the door to door campaign launched by District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar. All the applications are being processed and 53 applications have already been allowed and benefits have been delivered to the applicants.
Sh. Arun Gupta, District & Sessions Judge-cum-Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority while addressing the gathering impressed the people to seek benefits of free legal services being provided by the Legal Services Authorities. He also made the people aware about the Victim Compensation Schemes of State and National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi.
Sh. Amit Talwar, Deputy Commissioner, SAS Nagar appealed the students to spread awareness among the masses regarding welfare schemes of the Government and to assist them in availing benefits under such Schemes.
Sh. Baljinder Singh Maan, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar disclosed that each and every village of the District shall be visited by the Teams of Panel Lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers under campaign Empowerment of Citizens through Legal Awareness and Outreach launched by NALSA, New Delhi from 31.10.2022 to 13.11.2022.
Sh. Vivek Sheel Soni, IPS, SSP, SAS Nagar, Ms. Samriti Dhir, Additional Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, Ms. Amninder Kaur Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Sh. Inderpal Singh, Assistant Commissioner (Grievances) were also present at the programme. Prof. R.K. Kohli, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Mohali extended vote of thanks to the participants.