Punjab : Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, is stepping up efforts to support senior citizens through focused grassroots initiatives designed to ensure their health, security, and dignity. She emphasized the statewide progress of the ‘Our Elders, Our Pride’ campaign, reflecting the government’s people-centric approach toward empowering and caring for the elderly population.
Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated, “Senior citizens are invaluable assets to society. Under the leadership of CM Mann, the government is implementing effective measures at the grassroots level to ensure their well-being. So far, nearly 9,000 seniors have registered and benefited directly from district-wise health camps organized across Punjab under this campaign.”
Providing further details, the Minister shared the campaign’s impact: 2,268 senior citizens underwent general health check-ups, 1,241 received orthopaedic evaluations, and 2,607 participated in eye examinations. Additionally, 631 seniors took part in yoga sessions, 551 availed homoeopathic treatments, and 791 benefited from ayurvedic health services, reflecting the extensive outreach of the program.
Also read : Harjot Singh Bains Reviews ₹100 Crore Bridge Projects to Boost Punjab–Himachal Connectivity
Baljit Kaur also highlighted supplementary welfare measures, stating, “Through the ALIMCO scheme, 243 seniors were registered, with 89 receiving assistive devices such as wheelchairs, spectacles, and hearing aids. Furthermore, 233 old age pension forms were processed, and 306 senior citizen cards were issued during these camps.”
Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur provided district-wise updates, noting that health camps have already been conducted in Sri Amritsar Sahib, Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Mansa, Patiala, Rupnagar, and S.A.S. Nagar. Camps in the remaining districts—including Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Malerkotla, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sangrur, and Tarn Taran—are scheduled to be held soon to ensure maximum participation.
₹7.86 Crore Allocated Under State Action Plan for Senior Citizens : Baljit Kaur
Highlighting the financial support for the initiative, she said, “A budget of ₹7.86 crore has been allocated under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens to organize health camps and related services. These camps provide medical check-ups, facilitate cataract surgeries, distribute assistive devices, process pension forms, issue senior citizen cards, and raise awareness about the legal and social rights of seniors.”
Emphasizing the moral and social significance of elder care, Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur remarked, “Senior citizens represent our living heritage, whose guidance and sacrifices have shaped generations. The Mann Government sees caring for elders not just as a welfare responsibility but as a moral duty. Programs like ‘Our Elders, Our Pride’ reflect our commitment to ensuring seniors live with dignity, care, and respect.”
Baljit Kaur urged families across Punjab to bring their elderly members to these camps to maximize the benefits of the government’s initiatives, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to public service and senior citizen welfare.