Public coffers open for welfare schemes despite financial constraints
Shimla, Aug 16
Despite financial constraints and mounting liabilities towards its employees, the Himachal Pradesh government has continued to expand its social welfare commitments, with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announcing financial assistance of over Rs 20.61 crore to thousands of beneficiaries on the occasion of Independence Day.
At the state-level Independence Day function at Barsar in Hamirpur district on Saturday, the Chief Minister distributed financial assistance to 4,967 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
According to the government, 1,758 beneficiaries received Rs 8.98 crore under the Marriage Assistance Scheme, while 2,788 beneficiaries were provided Rs 7.89 crore under the Education Assistance Scheme. Another 17 beneficiaries received Rs 3.54 lakh as medical assistance.
Financial assistance was also provided to beneficiaries under several other schemes. Sixty beneficiaries received Rs 1.49 crore under the Death and Funeral Assistance Scheme, while 109 beneficiaries were given Rs 38.02 lakh under the Maternity and Paternity Assistance Scheme. Sixty-eight beneficiaries received Rs 89.77 lakh for construction of houses, while 63 beneficiaries were provided Rs 12 lakh under the Mentally Disabled Assistance Scheme. Besides, 61 single, deserted and differently-abled women received Rs 61 lakh and 39 beneficiaries received Rs 19.89 lakh under the Child Birth Gift Scheme.
Separately, preparations are nearing completion to extend up to 300 units of free electricity to around 1.80 lakh economically weaker families in the state. The Rural Development Department has almost completed the survey to identify eligible families for the proposed benefit under the Chief Minister Apna Sukhi Parivar Yojana. The scheme is also expected to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to around 2.50 lakh women belonging to poor families. These measures, however, were not formally announced by the Chief Minister in his Independence Day speech and are part of the government’s ongoing preparations to expand welfare coverage.
The fresh welfare initiatives come at a time when the state government is facing considerable financial pressure, including pending liabilities towards government employees. The government is expected to release around Rs 750 crore towards pending dearness allowance-related dues of employees.
The release of such lawful dues assumes importance in view of directions issued by the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the matter pending before the Supreme Court, requiring the state to ensure timely payment of legitimate employee dues.
The Chief Minister also honoured retired senior medical officer Dr Rajendra Kanwar, who has donated his movable and immovable property, valued at over Rs 80 crore, to Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College and Hospital, Hamirpur. He also honoured family members of freedom fighters and gave away prizes to participants in the Independence Day parade and cultural programmes.
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