Chandigarh, Oct 24 — The Punjab government has released ₹84.26 lakh to continue providing free and subsidised bus travel for visually impaired and disabled persons across the state, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive welfare under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership.
Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said the released funds are part of the annual transport assistance budget for the disabled. “Visually impaired persons receive a 100 percent fare concession in government buses, while others with disabilities of 40 percent or more are eligible for a 50 percent concession,” she noted.
For the 2025–26 financial year, the government has allocated a total of ₹3.50 crore for the scheme, of which ₹2.61 crore has already been utilised. The additional ₹84.26 lakh ensures that eligible beneficiaries continue to receive uninterrupted transport assistance.
“This initiative is not just about financial aid but about dignity and self-reliance,” Dr. Kaur said. “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, we are committed to making the lives of disabled citizens easier, safer, and more independent.”
Officials said the scheme enables thousands of people with disabilities to travel freely for education, employment, healthcare, and personal needs. Many beneficiaries say it has significantly reduced their daily struggles and improved access to essential services.
The Mann government has also emphasised that this step is part of a broader effort to strengthen social equity. Besides transport assistance, the Social Security Department is working on programmes focused on the education, employment, and empowerment of people with disabilities.
Chief Minister Mann’s administration has framed the initiative as part of its “governance with sensitivity” model. “A developed society is one where no individual is left behind,” Dr. Kaur remarked. “This funding is a message that our government stands with every citizen.”
Officials say the scheme reflects the government’s focus on social justice and equality — ensuring that accessibility is not a privilege but a right.
