Punjab says will set up social security fund

The Amarinder Singh government has decided to create a dedicated social security fund for the poor and deprived sections of society.

The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday gave its assent to table The Punjab Social Security Bill, 2018 in the ongoing Budget session of the assembly.

A spokesperson in the Chief Minister's Office said the Bill relates to social services in the form of pension to senior citizens, old-aged, widows, destitute women, physically challenged persons, health and accident insurance, scholarship for education of children belonging to deprived sections, and other such financial assistance to the poor and needy as may be considered necessary.

The Social Security Fund would be administered by a trust headed by the chief minister and comprising the finance minister, welfare minister and social security minister, besides various experts.