Schemes And Camaigns Headed By Captain Amrinder Singh
Captain Amarinder Singh, during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab, left an indelible mark on the state's landscape through a proactive and visionary approach to governance. His leadership was defined by a commitment to holistic development, focusing on crucial aspects such as urbanization, environmental sustainability, healthcare, and social empowerment. Under his stewardship, Punjab witnessed transformative initiatives aimed at uplifting various facets of society and creating a foundation for a more prosperous and equitable future. Let us check out some of the noteworthy initiatives that defined his tenure from 16 March 2017 to 19 September 2021.
Punjab Shehri Awas Yojana (PSAY)
Captain launched the Punjab Shehri Awas Yojana (PSAY) on 4 August 2017. This scheme, aimed at fulfilling a significant election promise of the Congress, focused on providing free or subsidized residential houses to houseless urban poor. Under the PSAY, eligible houseless SC/BC urban families with an annual income less than Rs. 3 lakhs in Phase 1 and less than Rs. 5 lakhs in Phase II will receive free housing. Additionally, the scheme aimed to provide subsidized housing to individuals in various categories, contributing to their social upliftment.
Punjab State Culture Policy
In a significant move, the Punjab cabinet, led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, approved the Punjab State Culture Policy on August 24, 2017. This policy positioned Punjab as the second state in India, after Manipur, to have a comprehensive blueprint for the protection and preservation of its rich cultural heritage. The policy aimed not only to safeguard cultural heritage but also to promote the quality of art and culture within the state.
Tandarust Punjab Campaign
On World Environment Day in 2018, the Punjab government initiated the 'Tandrust (Healthy) Punjab' health program. The mission aimed to foster a focused and integrated approach, involving all stakeholders to create a healthy Punjab. The program declared any attempt to pollute air, contaminate water, or engage in food adulteration as a crime against humanity and the state. During the launch at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring clean water and condemned the disposal of waste into rivers by industries.
Anti-Drug Campaign
As part of the efforts to make Punjab a drug-free state, the Drug Abuse Prevention Officers (DAPO) program was initiated by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on March 23, 2018, to pay tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Implemented by the Special Task Force (STF) in collaboration with relevant state departments and volunteers, the strategy focused on enforcing the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act effectively. With over 4.8 lakh registered volunteers, the program aimed at assisting those in need, promoting awareness about the ill effects of drugs, and providing de-addiction and rehabilitation services. The Chief Minister, leading the campaign, became the first DAPO, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment in tackling the drug menace. The DAPO program involves engaging dedicated volunteers in coordination with local authorities, police, and the STF.
Crisis Preparedness
Following a tragic train accident in Amritsar on October 19, 2018, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh took swift action by setting up a Crisis Management Group. Led by Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, the group included members from relevant departments. The Chief Minister declared a state mourning, with all offices and educational institutions closed. Relief and rehabilitation efforts were mobilized on a war footing, demonstrating the government's commitment to handling crises effectively.
Crop Diversification Strategy
Captain initiated a comprehensive crop diversification strategy in July 2019 to break the wheat-paddy cycle and address groundwater depletion in the state. He directed the State Planning Board to devise a model for crop diversification and review existing agriculture schemes for necessary reforms. Concerned about water table decline, he emphasized shifting to less water-intensive crops like maize, cotton, and sugarcane. The aim was to disseminate crop knowledge, enhance marketing strategies, and rationalize farm subsidies for sustainable agriculture development. Additionally, suggestions were made to empower agricultural marketing bodies and standardize produce for international competitiveness.
Ayshman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana
Commemorating former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's 75th birth anniversary, Captain Amarinder Singh launched the 'Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana' on August 20, 2019. The health insurance scheme covers nearly 46 lakh families, offering annual cashless treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year, including pre-existing diseases. Punjab becomes the first state in India to extend medical insurance to 76% of its population, surpassing the 12% coverage of the Central Government's PMJAY scheme. The state bears the entire premium cost for additional beneficiaries, including farmers, construction workers, journalists, etc. With 1396 treatment packages, the initiative operates through over 450 empaneled hospitals, emphasizing cashless payments for healthcare services. The total premium is Rs. 333 Crores, with the state contributing Rs. 276 Crores (83%) and the Government of India covering the remaining Rs. 57 Crores. The scheme aims to revolutionize healthcare services in Punjab.
Waste Management and Recycling
On January 26, 2020, Singh unveiled a comprehensive plan for waste management in the state. The initiative included the announcement of an Integrated Waste Management System to address the efficient disposal of waste in the region. Additionally, a new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) was introduced, with identified land already handed over to the Department of Local Government. The Chief Minister emphasized that waste and sewage management were top priorities for his government, highlighting the commitment to environmental sustainability.
Youth Development Program
On August 5, 2020, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh launched the collaborative `Pride of Punjab’ program, a partnership between the Department of Youth Services & Sports and YuWaah, a UNICEF initiative. The initiative focused on providing skill training to unemployed youth, with a target of 30,000 beneficiaries and a budget of ?90 crores. The program also offered an employment assistance allowance of ?2,500 per month for 12 months, showcasing the government's commitment to youth development.
Smart Ration Card Scheme
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh launched the Smart Ration Card scheme on September 12, 2020, covering 1.41 crore beneficiaries in the state. Additionally, a state-funded scheme was introduced to provide subsidized rations to 9 lakh beneficiaries not covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The Smart Ration Card Scheme aims to distribute 37.5 lakh cards to eligible beneficiaries, increasing the total number of beneficiaries in the state to 1.50 crore. During the launch, the Chief Minister handed over smart ration cards to four beneficiaries at the Secretariat, emphasizing the scheme's role in curbing corruption and providing beneficiaries the flexibility to purchase from any depot. The launch took place virtually, connecting to 100 locations across the state.
Amnesty Scheme-2021 for Urban Development Authorities
The 'Amnesty Scheme-2021' approved by the Punjab state cabinet, led by CM Captain Amarinder Singh, was designed to recover overdue installment amounts from allottees of residential, commercial, industrial plots, and chunk sites. Implemented under the Punjab Urban Development Authorities, the scheme covered defaulted allottees and aimed to recover around Rs. 700 crores in outstanding dues. The key objectives included providing allottees an opportunity to clear their dues, generating revenue for civic bodies, and contributing to economic revival by addressing defaulted amounts. The scheme applied to properties sold through various processes and includes provisions for the revival of cancelled allotments.
Women Empowerment Program
Celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, Captain Amarinder Singh announced a series of women-centric projects aimed at empowering women across the state. These projects, developed in collaboration with UN agencies, included the launch of Saanjh Shakti police help desks and helplines at all police stations. The Chief Minister expressed a commitment to women's welfare, safety, and development, showcasing a multifaceted approach to address issues such as crimes against women, rights, education, and employment. The initiatives align with the broader goal of fostering gender equality and empowering women in society.
Free Travel Scheme for Women
The Punjab Cabinet formally approved Singh's initiative to provide free travel for women in all government-run buses within the state, starting from April 1, 2021. The scheme, aimed at empowering women, was started to benefit over 1.31 crore women and girls. Women residents are still availing free bus travel in government-owned buses, excluding AC, Volvo, and HVAC buses.
Debt Waiver for Farmers
In July 2021, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced a debt waiver of Rs. 590 crores for labourers and landless farmers, fulfilling a key promise of his government. The waiver covered 2,85,325 members of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), providing relief of Rs. 20,000 per member. The Debt Relief Scheme for Farm Labourers and Landless Farming Members of PACS-2019 focused on consumption loans from District Central Cooperative Banks through PACS. This initiative followed the earlier debt waiver for farmers under the Chief Minister's flagship scheme, amounting to Rs. 4624 crore for 5.64 lakh farmers. Additionally, SC and BC category loans were written off, benefiting specific beneficiaries. The cheques were scheduled to be issued at a state-level function on August 20.
Skill Training Under Mera Kaam Mera Maan Scheme
The Punjab Cabinet had given its approval to a scheme named "Mera Kaam Mera Maan" on 26th August 2021 aimed at providing free short-term skill training to unemployed youth in the state. The initiative was designed to enhance the skills of the youth, thereby improving their prospects of securing employment. The state government had set a target of benefiting 30,000 individuals under this scheme, with an estimated cost of ?90 crores.
As part of the scheme, participants received a monthly employment assistance allowance of ?2,500 during the training period, which spanned 12 months. This allowance continued during the pre-placement and post-placement phases, ensuring sustained support for individuals who successfully completed the training program at Punjab Skill Development Mission training centres.
Enhanced Social Security Pension Scheme
The "Enhanced Social Security Pension" scheme was launched by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on 31 August 2021. The beneficiaries of this scheme included. Under the scheme, old-aged individuals, handicapped individuals, widows, destitute individuals, and other vulnerable categories in the state, received a revised monthly pension of Rs. 1500/- (which previously was Rs. 500/-) for financial support.
To Sum Up,
Captain Amarinder Singh's tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab witnessed a comprehensive array of initiatives that significantly impacted the region, fostering economic growth, empowering the youth and women, ensuring healthcare accessibility, promoting agricultural sustainability, and contributing to overall social welfare. The enduring effects of these initiatives by Singh continue to shape the region positively, leaving a legacy of comprehensive and sustainable development.
