Chandigarh :
The Punjab Government will recruit 17,000 candidates to fill backlog vacancies reserved under the Divyang (persons with disabilities) quota, Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur announced on Tuesday.
The minister also said the state has simplified the child adoption process by establishing adoption agencies in 16 districts to ensure transparency and ease for prospective parents.
In a major welfare move, the government has increased the monthly pension for acid attack survivors from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. The assistance will be provided to both male and female victims.
Under the Ashirwad Scheme, which provides financial assistance of ₹51,000, the application window has been extended from one year to two years. So far, ₹1,030 crore has been disbursed under the scheme. Applications will now be accepted only through the Seva Portal to prevent fraud.
The government also provides ₹50,000 in financial assistance to couples entering inter-caste marriages. Pending dues worth ₹6 crore since 2011 have been cleared, the minister said.
Regarding pensions, 23,62,579 elderly beneficiaries are currently receiving ₹1,500 per month, credited during the first week of each month. By removing fake and deceased beneficiaries, the government has reportedly recovered ₹170 crore.
Additionally, ₹2,042 crore has been spent so far on providing free bus travel to women. Five working women’s hostels — three in Mohali, one in Amritsar and one in Jalandhar — are being constructed at an estimated cost of ₹150 crore and are expected to be completed this year. The hostels will also include crèche facilities for children.
The government stated that these initiatives aim to strengthen social security and promote women’s empowerment across the state.
