Chandigarh, July 3 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for ailing eminent Punjabi novelist Jaswant Singh Kanwal, who is suffering from age-related illness.

The Chief Minister has directed the Deputy Commissioner to personally hand over the amount Kanwal's family at his native Dhudike village in Moga.

He also directed the district administration to ensure the best possible medical care and treatment for Kanwal.

Kanwal, who has penned nearly 100 books, including several novels, turned 100 on June 27.

--IANS vg/pg