Chandigarh, September 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government has earmarked ₹598.75 lakh for the implementation of its State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAP) 2026-27, with a focus on healthcare, social security, caregiving, mental well-being and dignified ageing across the state.
Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting of stakeholder departments to finalise the implementation strategy for the action plan.
She also announced that the state-level “Sade Bazurg Sada Maan” campaign will be launched from Sri Muktsar Sahib on October 1, coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons. The campaign will promote respect and compassion for senior citizens and create awareness about their rights, welfare schemes and healthcare services.
Dr Baljit Kaur said the initiative would encourage families, educational institutions, youth organisations, community groups and local bodies to play an active role in supporting elderly citizens.
“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.
The State Action Plan includes free medical check-up and health assessment camps, cataract screening and surgeries, strengthening of geriatric healthcare services, training of geriatric caregivers in collaboration with the Punjab Skill Development Mission, digital and financial literacy programmes, productive ageing initiatives, awareness drives, inter-generational bonding activities, wellness programmes and media outreach.
The minister directed the Health Department to organise regular health camps to facilitate early diagnosis, treatment, eye-care services and referrals. She also called for expanding the pool of trained geriatric caregivers to provide professional and need-based support within communities.
Dr Baljit Kaur directed all stakeholder departments to implement the plan in a time-bound and result-oriented manner, stressing that inter-departmental coordination, monitoring and accountability would be essential for effective delivery at the grassroots level.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Director of the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr Sheena Aggarwal, Mission Director of Punjab Skill Development Mission Amrit Singh, Director Health Services Dr Hitender Kaur, and senior officers from AYUSH, Information and Public Relations and other departments.
Officials discussed district-wise implementation, capacity building, awareness activities, utilisation of funds, monitoring mechanisms and coordination among departments.
Dr Baljit Kaur expressed confidence that the coordinated implementation of the action plan would improve the quality of life of senior citizens and said the “Sade Bazurg Sada Maan” campaign would further strengthen public participation in caring for the elderly and advance the government’s vision of a compassionate, inclusive and “Rangla Punjab”.
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