Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur unfurls National Flag in Ferozepur; announces enhanced health insurance and welfare initiatives
Ferozepur, January 26, 2026: On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, a grand district-level function was organized at the Cantt Board Stadium, Firozpur, where Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, unfurled the National Flag and addressed the residents of the district.
Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma and SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, the Minister inspected the parade and took the salute from the marching contingents led by DSP Karan Sharma.
In her keynote address, Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted the Punjab Government’s pro-people initiatives, noting that schools are being renamed after martyrs to honour their sacrifice. She announced significant hikes in welfare grants, including increasing the ex-gratia for ex-servicemen from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore and freedom fighters' pensions to ₹12,000.
Emphasizing the health sector, she introduced the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, which provides treatment up to ₹10 lakh, and noted that over 880 'Aam Aadmi Clinics' are now operational across the state. She also listed achievements such as 300 units of free electricity, the 'Farishtey' scheme for accident victims, 'Schools of Eminence,' and the provision of over 60,000 government jobs in the last four years.
Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Minister paid floral tributes at the Hussainiwala Shaheed Smarak to Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, B.K. Dutt, and Rajmata.
Paying obeisance to the architect of the Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, she urged the youth to follow the path of patriotism to ensure the country’s progress.
The event also featured the distribution of tricycles and sewing machines to the needy through the Red Cross, while various departments showcased colorful tableaux depicting state progress.
The celebration concluded with vibrant cultural performances, including Giddha and Bhangra by school students, in the presence of several dignitaries including local MLAs Ranbir Singh Bhullar, Rajnish Dahiya, Fauja Singh Sarari, Naresh Kataria, and Commissioner Firozpur Division Arun Sekhri.