Punjab government enhances stipend scheme for workers' children

The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has introduced significant reforms for the welfare of workers in the state.

Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that under the Punjab Labour Welfare Board's stipend scheme, financial assistance ranging from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 70,000 is available for the education of laborers’ children.

Additionally, the previously required two-year service condition for workers to qualify for this scheme has been removed.

The Punjab Labour Welfare Board's stipend scheme aims to support the education of workers' children. Previously, workers had to complete two years of service before availing the stipend, but this requirement has now been officially abolished following the initiative of Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond.

He further explained that workers can now access stipend benefits from the date they start contributing to the fund rather than waiting for two years.

He emphasized that the stipend scheme plays a crucial role in ensuring access to education for the children of Punjab’s laborers. The scheme covers students from the primary level up to higher education.

Under the stipend scheme, girls in classes 1 to 5 receive Rs. 3,000 annually, while boys get Rs. 2,000. For students in classes 6 to 8, girls receive Rs. 5,000, and boys receive Rs. 7,000 per year.

Boys in classes 9 and 10 are eligible for Rs. 13,000, while girls receive Rs. 10,000. Students in 10+1 and 10+2 are provided Rs. 20,000 for girls and Rs. 25,000 for boys annually.

For higher education, including graduation, post-graduation, ITI, polytechnic, ANM, GNM, and other professional courses, girls receive Rs. 25,000 annually, or Rs. 40,000 if residing in a hostel, while boys receive Rs. 30,000 or Rs. 45,000 if residing in a hostel.

Similarly, for medical, engineering, and other professional courses, girls are eligible for Rs. 40,000 per year, which increases to Rs. 60,000 for hostel residents. Boys receive Rs. 50,000, or Rs. 70,000 if residing in a hostel.