Exhaustive scheme for special kids to be introduced in next budget: CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that the government was planning to introduce a comprehensive scheme for specially abled children in the Budget for 2025-26. He inaugurated the first residential school for specially abled children constructed at a cost of Rs 6.67 crore at Hiranagar in Shimla district.

Advertisement

He said, “In the next Budget, we are planning to formulate a new scheme in consultation with the teachers to address the needs of specially abled children.” He added that the Hiranagar school was one of a kind in Himachal Pradesh that was providing free quality education along with vocational training and free accommodation facilities to the students. “

The government is constructing Mukhyamantri Adarsh Gram Sukh Aashray complexes at Sundernagar (Mandi) and Luthan (Kangra) at a cost of Rs 92.33 crore each with a residential capacity of 400 individuals,” he claimed.

The school caters to children aged six to 18 years and would offer state-of-the-art facilities to them. Sukhu said that the school comprised 16 modern classrooms, including a computer lab, music room and a multipurpose hall. The hostel block could accommodate 50 children and comprised a medical room as well as residential quarters for staff.

He said, “Himachal is the first state to legislate for the care and education of destitute children. Under the Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray Yojana, the government has adopted them as ‘children of the state’ and is bearing not only their educational expenses but also providing them with Rs 4,000 monthly pocket money.” Over the past two years, the government had extended financial benefits to the tune of Rs 38.50 crore under the scheme, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had launched the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana in its first Budget while in the second budget, provisions were made to bear the educational expenses of 23,000 children of widows.

Sukhu said that the government was focusing on the social security of weaker sections and a centre of excellence was being set up at Kandaghat in Solan district to provide higher education opportunities to 9,000 specially abled children. The centre was expected to be ready within two years, he added.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said that the state government was providing a monthly allowance of Rs 1,150 to Rs 1,700 to specially abled individuals in the state.

Six yojanas to be launched at Bilaspur

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that six new schemes would be launched to mark the completion of two years of the Congress government at a rally in Bilaspur on December 11. Congress in-charge and AICC general secretary Rajiv Sukhla would be the chief guest of the event.

Sukhu reviewed the preparedness for the rally to be held at the Luhnu ground in Bilaspur. He said that six schemes would be launched, including for e-taxis under the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Swarojgar Yojana and the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana to offer financial assistance to the children of widows to pursue higher education.

He said the other schemes to be launched were the HP Shiva Project, Himbhog Atta, cow dung purchase and the transfer of money to farmers whose naturally grown maize the state government had procured. He added that five Ayush Mobile Vans would also be flagged off and the beneficiaries of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Yojana would be given cheques.

Sukhu said that more than 30,000 people were expected to participate in the rally. He added that the celebrations would be organised on the theme of ‘Vyavastha Parivartan Se Atmanirbhar Himachal’. He directed the Bilaspur district administration to make adequate arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic, potable water, toilet and food items for the people attending the rally. He added that the government would honour freedom fighters during the celebrations.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil attended the meeting while Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani joined it virtually from Bilaspur.