NAWAN SHAHR, JANUARY 15,2020 : Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary on Wednesday said that setting up of crèches in Mini-Secretariats and District Administrative Complexes are under consideration of the department with a view to caring the children of working women across the state.
Stating this during state level function being organised to celebrate Lohri of 550 newborn girls, the Minister said that Punjab Government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is celebrating the Lohri of newborn 550 girls in line with series of programmes to commemorate the 550th prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji.
Reiterating that the State Government is committed for women empowerment, the Minister said that after taking the reins in the state Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government had taken several landmark initiatives in this regard especially ensuring 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayats and Municipal elections. She said that the Social Security Department was providing nutritious food to expectant ladies and lactating mothers. Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 has also been given to pregnant women on birth of child, if they made registration within 150 days of pregnancy.
The Minister said that the Lohri celebration of 550 newborn girls here besides honouring the grandparents of newborn girls during state level function would further give a big push to strengthen the awareness drive for equality and celebrate daughters’ birth. Mrs Chaudhary pointed out that the Department was ensuring to execute the welfare schemes for women and children at the grassroots level besides providing the advantages of such measures to maximum populace in the state.
The Minister also stressed that there was a dire need to change the mindset towards daughters in the society besides imbibing moral values amongst boys to respect women.
The Minister also lauded the concerted efforts of District Police Chief Alka Meena for getting prepared ‘DISHA’ an awareness programme for women, which was being presented during function by DSP Deepika Singh. She said that this programme would go a long way in creating awareness amongst women.
Students of Government Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Khatkar Kalan sang a welcome song while the students of Baba Gola Government Girls Senior Secondary School Banga presented a skit and performed giddha. The national anthem was sung by the students of Shivalik Public School. The program presented by the children of Aanganwari Centre Nawan Shahr was also remained centre of attraction. The Minister also took a round of various stalls setup by the Department.
The Minister also mentioned that the State Government had established Sakhi-one stop centre, for the assistance of violence victim women in every district, where women were being provided medical assistance, counselling, legal aid and temporary shelter. She commended the Nawan Shahr Sakhi Centre being run in District Hospital for amicably resolving 100 cases out of total 115.
Meanwhile, the Minister along with Principal Secretary of Department Raji P Srivastava and Director Gurpreet Kaur Sapra also visited the Centre in District Hospital and interacted with the staff deployed there.
In her address, the Former MLA Guriqbal Kaur also lauded the initiative of state government to celebrate the Lohri of daughters at State Level.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Vinay Bublani, SSP Alka Meena, Special Secretary Social Security Jagwinderjit Singh Grewal, Chairman District Planning Committee Satvir Singh Palli Jhikki, ADC (G) Aditya Uppal, SDM Jagdish Singh Johal Nawanshahr, SDM Gautam Jain Banga, Assistant Commissioner Rajnish Arora, District Programme Officer Manjit Kaur and senior officers from civil and police administration.
Photo Caption: Glimpses of State level Lohri Function of Daughters celebrated at Nawanashahr, Attended by Cabinet Minister Mrs Aruna Chaudhary as Chief Guest.