Punjab Government Invests Rs 2,042 Crore in Free Bus Travel for Women
In a significant move to empower women, the Punjab government has spent a substantial Rs 2,042 crore under its free bus travel facility, as announced by Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities. This initiative aims to remove financial barriers, enabling women across the state to access essential services such as education, employment, and healthcare more easily.
Welfare Initiatives and Infrastructure Development
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Dr. Kaur detailed several other welfare projects. Notably, the government is constructing five working women's hostels with a budget of Rs 150 crore. These hostels, located in Mohali (three), Jalandhar (two), and Amritsar (two), are expected to be completed within a year and will include crèche facilities to support working mothers.
Additionally, she highlighted key schemes under the AAP government's social justice agenda:
- Ashirwad Scheme: Providing marriage assistance of Rs 51,000 irrespective of caste, with Rs 1,023 crore released so far.
- Adarsh Gram Yojana: Allocating Rs 100 crore for development in scheduled caste-dominated villages.
- Inter-caste Marriage Incentive: Clearing Rs 6 crore in dues to promote social harmony.
Support for Senior Citizens
Dr. Kaur also emphasized the government's commitment to elderly welfare. Currently, 23.6 lakh needy senior citizens receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 through direct benefit transfer, disbursed in the first week of every month. The "Sada Buzurg Sada Maan" campaign, launched in 2024, has further strengthened physical and mental health support for the elderly.
Through district-level camps, over 20,000 elderly persons participated in 2024, with more than 20,000 availing services this year, including healthcare support, legal aid, and assistive devices. This comprehensive approach underscores the Punjab government's focus on inclusive development and social empowerment across all demographics.
