Discussion on providing food grains to eligible institutions and pensions to senior citizens — Dr. Baljit Kaur
Upgradation of Anganwadi centres and Nutrition Gardens to gain momentum — Dr. Baljit Kaur
Beneficiary-centric approach to ensure protection of food rights — Dr. Baljit Kaur
Chandigarh, February 27:
On the initiative of the Punjab State Food Commission, an important meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Punjab’s Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur. The objective of the meeting was to further strengthen the effective implementation of schemes related to food security, nutrition and social welfare.
The meeting was attended by a delegation led by Chairman of the Punjab State Food Commission, Sh. Bal Mukand Sharma, along with Members Sh. Vijay Dutt and Sh. Chetan Parkash Dhaliwal. Secretary, Social Security Department, Sh. Gurkirat Kripal, IAS, and Director Ms. Sheena Aggarwal,IAS were also specially present.
During the meeting, Dr. Baljit Kaur held detailed discussions on issues related to food security and nutrition and said that under the government’s food security scheme, eligible institutions must be ensured the supply of 15 kilograms of food grains per person per month at subsidised rates. This facility should be continuously extended to Pingalwara institutions, old age homes, shelter homes, recognised welfare institutions, hostels for Scheduled Caste girl students and schools for children with special needs.
The meeting also witnessed serious deliberations under the leadership of Dr. Baljit Kaur on providing old-age pension to eligible senior citizens residing in old age homes, and extending the benefits of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to residents of non-recognised institutions, including Pingalwara.
Raising the issue of repair and construction of Anganwadi centres that are in need of upgradation, Chairman Sh. Bal Mukand Sharma emphasised the requirement for timely intervention. In response, the Minister stressed the need for better inter-departmental coordination to ensure effective and timely utilisation of available funds in public interest.
Discussions were also held on developing kitchen gardens and herbal gardens under the Nutrition Garden scheme, providing regular training to Anganwadi workers, and supplying mobile phones to enhance transparency and efficiency in their functioning.
On the occasion, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is fully committed to pro-people welfare policies and that ensuring transparent, timely and effective delivery of government schemes to every eligible beneficiary remains the government’s top priority.
Terming the meeting as positive and constructive, Dr. Baljit Kaur assured that all suggestions put forward by the Commission would be examined seriously and implemented in a phased manner, and that all necessary steps would be taken in public interest.
Senior officer Sh Kamal Kumar Garg IAS from the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, GM Sh. Varinder Brar, In-charge of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and senior officer of the Social Security Department were also present at the meeting.
