The North News
Chandigarh, February 14
Punjab has expanded its financial assistance scheme for acid attack victims to include men and transgender individuals, marking a significant step toward gender equality in welfare policies, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur announced on Friday. Previously limited to female victims, the “Punjab Financial Assistance Scheme for Acid Attack Victims” will now provide all affected individuals with a monthly aid of ₹10,000. The initiative, originally launched in 2017, had offered ₹8,000 per month exclusively to women.
Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his cabinet for endorsing the reform. “This decision reaffirms the government’s commitment to justice and equality for all citizens,” she said. The Minister emphasized that the expansion of the scheme will offer critical financial relief to survivors, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity. She added that the initiative aligns with the Punjab government’s broader agenda of social welfare and inclusivity.
By making the scheme gender-neutral, the state aims to ensure acid attack survivors, regardless of gender, receive the necessary support. “This is more than financial assistance; it is about recognizing the struggles of all victims and offering them hope for self-reliance,” Dr. Kaur stated.
