Razia Sultana, Minister for Social Welfare and Women & Child Development, Punjab, while chairing the high level review meeting of the department disclosed that Rs.4.7 crore has been credited online directly into the account of the beneficiaries under Pradhan Manti Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).Mrs. Sultana directed the officers to launch a consistent campaign to sensitize the general public about the various social welfare schemes being run by the Punjab Government, so as to enable them to avail the benefits. She categorically emphasized on ensuring the smooth implementation of the PMMVY.She said that under the PMMVY, financial assistance of Rs.5000 is disbursed to all the expectant mothers in three installments, from the period of conception of the baby till his birth. The grant is given in three installments to every expectant mother irrespective of any Income Cap.Divulging the breakup of three installments, she said that the first installment of Rs.1000 is given to the expectant mother from the day of confirmation of her conception. Similarly second Installment of Rs.2000 is being accorded after six month during the first anti-natal examination of the expectant mother. Likewise, the third and final installment of Rs.2000 is handed over to the mother after the delivery and first vaccination of the baby. She said that under this scheme, from December 2017 to February 28, 2018, in total 64767 beneficiaries have been registered, out of which, 30605 beneficiaries have been given financial grant of Rs.4.7 crore.
The Minister disclosed that it is matter of proud for the state that district Tarn Taran has been selected amongst 10 best districts of the country, for the better results in improving child sex ratio under ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Scheme.Mrs. Sultana also instructed the officers to cover all the villages of the state on war footing to register disabled persons under “Unique Disability ID Card Project”. She said that all such beneficiaries be issued disability certificates in time so as to enable them to avail benefits of various welfare schemes.Mr. K.B.S. Sidhu, Special Chief Secretary, Social Welfare and Women & Child Development apprised the minister that 27,314 Anganwari Centers are being operated in the state under Anganwari Service Scheme and Rs.33 crore has been drawn to provide ration to these anganwari centers. He said that the Rules have been framed under Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016. He further said that the department is ensuring a congenial atmosphere to all the disabled persons in the government buildings.Director of the Social Welfare and Women & Child Development, Ms. Kavita Singh apprised that the department is also contemplating on the project of setting up of special schools for the deaf and dumb children in the state. She said that scholarship is provided to the disabled persons for pursuing education from first class up to graduation level.