Punjab government has launched an insurance scheme for anganwari workers in the state. The yearly premium is Rs 280, out of which Rs 200 is to be provided by the government and Rs 80 is to be contributed by the worker, an official spokesman said in Chandigarh on Sunday.

The Punjab government has launched a scheme in six districts to improve the nutrition level of girls between 11 to 18 years of age.

Facing flak for her suggestion that a family of five can get rice, wheat and dal in Rs 600 per month, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday rejected the criticism saying those attacking her for the remark have not understood the concept of the ambitious food security programme of her government.

Madhya Pradesh government will frame a scheme for the treatment of diabetes affected children in the state, official sources said on Wednesday.

Sonia Gandhi on Saturday launched a major food security programme of Delhi Government under which monthly cash subsidy of Rs 600 will be transferred directly into Aadhaar-linked bank account of the senior-most female member of two lakh poor families.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday strongly backed the Centre's new Direct Benefit Transfer system that will ensure cash transfer directly in the hands of beneficiaries of various schemes, saying it is in line with many other "revolutionary" measures taken by the UPA.

Rahul Gandhi on Friday signalled that the cash transfer scheme beginning from the New Year could be the Congress trump card in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections like the farmers loan waiver and NREGA earlier.

BJP on Friday cautioned the government against using the cash transfer issue as a Congress scheme and alleged it is making a mockery of the Election Commission by going ahead with the policy despite warning from the poll panel.

To ensure that people know about the benefits of the direct cash transfer scheme announced by the government recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will brief district congress and youth presidents here on December 14.

Punjab may not go for Centre's financial restructuring scheme for power utility under the present framework as state authorities on Tuesday sought increase in the Centre's grant and relaxation in "rigid" conditions for implementation.