Reaffirming the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to ensuring a life of dignity, care and security for every senior citizen, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today chaired a high-level stakeholders' meeting to finalise the implementation strategy for the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAP) 2026-27 across Punjab. The meeting focused on strengthening healthcare, caregiving, social security and mental well-being of elderly citizens through a coordinated multi-departmental approach.
Announcing another landmark initiative, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government will launch the State-level "Sade Bazurg Sada Maan" campaign from Sri Muktsar Sahib on October 1, coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons. She said the campaign aims to foster a culture of respect and compassion towards senior citizens while spreading awareness about their rights, welfare schemes and healthcare services. It will also encourage families, educational institutions, youth organisations, community groups and local bodies to actively contribute towards ensuring that elderly citizens receive the love, care and recognition they truly deserve.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said, "The hands that nurtured families and helped build our society deserve love, respect and dignity in their later years. Looking after our senior citizens is not merely a government responsibility but our collective social duty." She said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is making sustained efforts to ensure that every senior citizen has access to quality healthcare, emotional support, social security and opportunities to lead a healthy, active and dignified life.
Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that a financial provision of ₹598.75 lakh has been earmarked for implementing the State Action Plan during 2026-27. She said the Action Plan encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including free medical check-up and health assessment camps, cataract screening and surgeries, strengthening geriatric healthcare services, training of geriatric caregivers in collaboration with the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM), digital and financial literacy programmes, productive ageing initiatives, awareness campaigns, inter-generational bonding activities, wellness programmes, media outreach and other interventions aimed at improving the overall quality of life of senior citizens.
The Minister directed the Health Department to organise regular health camps for senior citizens to ensure timely diagnosis, treatment, eye care services and referral support wherever required. She also stressed the need to expand the availability of trained geriatric caregivers so that elderly citizens receive professional, compassionate and need-based care within their communities.
Dr. Baljit Kaur directed all stakeholder departments to work in close coordination and implement the State Action Plan in a time-bound and result-oriented manner so that every eligible senior citizen across Punjab benefits from the welfare initiatives. She emphasised that effective inter-departmental convergence, regular monitoring and accountability would be crucial for ensuring efficient implementation of the Action Plan at the grassroots level.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director, Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Sheena Aggarwal, Mission Director, Punjab Skill Development Mission, Smt. Amrit Singh, Director Health Services, Dr. Hitender Kaur, besides senior officers from AYUSH, Information & Public Relations and other stakeholder departments. The participants deliberated on district-wise implementation strategies, capacity building, awareness activities, utilisation of funds, monitoring mechanisms and inter-departmental convergence for effective implementation of the Action Plan across the State.
Expressing confidence in the collective efforts of all stakeholder departments, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the coordinated implementation of the Action Plan would significantly improve the quality of life of senior citizens across Punjab. She added that the State-level "Sade Bazurg Sada Maan" campaign would strengthen public participation in caring for the elderly, reinforce the values of respect and gratitude towards senior citizens and further advance the Punjab Government's vision of building a compassionate, inclusive and "Rangla Punjab."
