The Himachal Pradesh Government had accorded top priority for the welfare of weaker sections of the society and various welfare schemes were being implemented in Himachal Pradesh. Socio-economic and educational upliftment of the persons belonging to scheduled caste (SC), Schedule Tribe (ST), backward classes(OBC), disabled or special persons, orphans, women and minorities was being ensured so as to bring these sections to the mainstream in the society.
Social security pension of Rs. 550 per month is being provided to all those across 60 years of age with having annual income below 35000, whereas Rs. 1000 per month to the older persons beyond 80 years. Widows of BPL families and physically handicapped are also provided a pension of Rs. 550 per month besides Rs.750 to disabled with 70 percent handicapped. Lepers have also been covered under the scheme.
As many as 304921 eligible persons were being provided Social Security Pension in the State for which a budget provision of Rs.21870.16 lakh has been made during current fiscal. State Government after coming into power has sanctioned 12 thousand additional pension cases in the Pradesh.
With a view to set up own ventures, the State government was providing a subsidy of Rs.1500 for purchasing sewing machine and other equipments to the persons of SC, ST and OBC who have obtained diploma from ITI or other training institutes. A target of benefitting 7072 persons has been fixed for current fiscal with a budgetary provision of Rs. 106.11 lakh.
To eradicate un-touchability, a social evil from the society, inter caste marriages are being encouraged. The persons married to inter cast spouse are provided an assistance of Rs. 50 thousand. Target of benefiting 245 persons has been fixed for current fiscal with funds provision of Rs. 122.19 lakh.
Families of SC, ST and OBC below annual income of Rs.35 thousand are provided Rs. 75000 for the house construction whereas Rs. 25 thousand for the renovation. As many as 2452 families would be provided housing subsidy this year for which budget provision of Rs. 1840.54 lakh has been made.
Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna has been proved helpful in providing basic amenities to people of those villages having above 40 percent SC population. Under the scheme two villages from each Assembly Segment of the State are identified and provided Rs.10 lakh to each village for its modernization and Rupees 13 crore budget provisions has been made for current fiscal.
Computer training is imparted to the aspirants of SC BPL families and a scholarship of Rs. 1000 is also given during the course. On completion of the training, incumbent is deployed in Government or private institutes for six months where a remuneration of Rs. 1500 per month is also paid. Rs. 366.18 lac would be spent on the scheme, this year.
To persuade and encourage the special children towards education, scholarship is provided from first class till post graduation level to these children and funds of Rs. 96.71 lac being spent during current fiscal.
Welfare schemes of the State Government have been proved to be beneficial in bringing the weaker sections of the society to the mainstream.
