It is a recorded fact that the various welfare schemes initiated by the Punjab Government have set new goals for the policy makers of various other state of India. Many of the state government have replicated the welfare schemes of Punjab in their own states. It was disclosed by Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue & Information and Public Relations Minister, Punjab while distributing welfare grants of Rs. 95 lakh to Nawan Tanel, Kaler Bala Pai, Kaler Bala villages of the district. He also laid foundation stones of various development projects.Addressing several gatherings during his whirlwind tour to the villages, Mr. Majithia said that the Union Government has also replicated the Punjab’s flagship Aata Dal Schemes in the form of Food Security Act. He said that various other states were also reviewing the virtues of this scheme. He said that the Punjab Government has taken new lead for the welfare of the journalist by introducing Health Insurance Scheme, under which scribes would be given medical care of worth Rs. 3 lakh per annum.
He further said that under the guidance and dynamic leadership of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal various other schemes for the welfare of farmers have also been started. He said that till date Rs. 4800 crore has been incurred on Aata Dal Scheme whereas Rs. 700 crore has been earmarked for the current fiscal for this scheme. Similarly old age and widow pension has been doubled to Rs. 500 per month. He said that under these two pension schemes Rs. 4600 has been disbursed to 17.5 lakh beneficiaries. For the current fiscal Rs. one thousand core has been reserved for these schemes. Divulging further details Mr. Majithia said that Under Chief Minister’s Tirath Yatra Scheme, the unprivileged section of the society has been extended facility for the religious pilgrimage to various revered religious places across the country.