Chandigarh, October 2
The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is dedicated to honoring and supporting the state’s freedom fighters and their families. In line with this commitment, a review meeting was held in Chandigarh, chaired by Freedom Fighters Minister Mohinder Bhagat. The meeting was aimed at assessing the ongoing works and initiatives of the Freedom Fighters Department, with a focus on enhancing the welfare schemes available to freedom fighters and their heirs.
During the meeting, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Freedom fighters, Smt. Raji P. Shrivastava, provided Minister Bhagat with detailed updates on the functioning of the existing programs. These included the provision of pension benefits, healthcare support, education reservations, and employment assistance to the descendants of freedom fighters. The Minister was briefed on the key initiatives, such as the expanded pension benefits to unmarried and unemployed sons and daughters, as well as the 1% reservation for the heirs of freedom fighters in state medical and technical colleges, and recruitment opportunities in government jobs.
Minister Mohinder Bhagat has directed the officials to ensure that freedom fighters and their families are given the utmost respect and are regularly felicitated during important national celebrations like Independence Day and Republic Day. He stressed the importance of providing maximum support to the families of freedom fighters, ensuring that their concerns are timely addressed.
The Minister also emphasized the need to further strengthen the existing welfare programs. He said that the state government remains fully committed to ensuring that the legacy of freedom fighters is preserved and that their families receive the care and recognition they rightfully deserve.
This meeting was attended by the Joint Secretary, Mrs. Lovejeet Kalsi, and the Senior Assistant, Mr. Gurvinder Singh from the Freedom Fighters Department.