Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat Leads High-Level Meeting to Enhance Support Systems
Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their dependents, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is taking decisive steps to ensure comprehensive support. In a significant move, Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat chaired a high-level review meeting at the Punjab Civil Secretariat on Wednesday, bringing together senior officials from the Defence Services Welfare Department and PESCO.
During the meeting, Minister Bhagat assessed the functioning of both departments and emphasized the effective execution of various welfare schemes. He also reviewed the status of Sainik Rest Houses and directed officials to implement necessary improvements. Budget allocations for the current and upcoming financial year (2025-26) were thoroughly discussed to ensure seamless financial support for these initiatives.
Highlighting the government's unwavering focus on the well-being of ex-servicemen and their families, the Minister instructed that quarterly meetings of the Sainik Board be conducted at the district level under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner. He further mandated that reports from these meetings, compiled by District Defence Services Welfare Officers, be submitted to the government for prompt action.
To enhance employment prospects for ex-servicemen and their dependents, Minister Bhagat urged closer coordination with the Employment Generation, Skill Development, and Training Department. Additionally, he called for the timely filling of vacancies within the department and strengthened engagement with ex-servicemen at the grassroots level, ensuring they fully benefit from government schemes.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including Additional Chief Secretary of Defence Services Welfare J.M. Balamurugan, Managing Director of PESCO Major General Harmandeep Singh, Director of Defence Services Welfare Brigadier Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, Commander Virk, and other senior officials. Their collective efforts are set to enhance support mechanisms for the ex-servicemen community across Punjab.
With a proactive approach and structured initiatives, the Punjab Government continues to prioritize the welfare of its ex-servicemen, reinforcing its commitment to their service and sacrifices.