Govt ensuring welfare schemes reach every eligible citizen: Rampur MLA

Rampur MLA and Chairman of the 7th Finance Commission, Nand Lal, chaired a meeting of the District Welfare Committee organised by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in Shimla today. He emphasised that the administration must work with dedication to ensure that no eligible person is left out of the benefits of government welfare schemes meant for the weaker and vulnerable sections of society.

Nand Lal further directed officials to make efforts to secure budgetary allocations for schemes that currently lack financial provisions. He revealed that funds have been sanctioned to 90,724 beneficiaries under various welfare initiatives in Shimla district. During the financial year 2024–25, a total of Rs 1,581.03 crore was spent on multiple welfare programmes. Under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Bahana Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme, 5,249 beneficiaries received assistance in 2024–25, while the target for 2025–26 has been set at 90,195 beneficiaries.

Highlighting the need to keep pace with modern needs, Nand Lal announced that a proposal will be sent to the state government to increase financial assistance for sewing machines by Rs 1,800 under the follow-up programme, considering the availability of advanced machines in the market. Another proposal will seek to raise the family income eligibility limit by Rs 50,000 to allow more women to benefit from the scheme.

He also said under the Golden Jubilee Shelter Scheme, a target of 885 beneficiaries has been set this fiscal year to provide housing for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs.

The meeting reviewed the progress of several schemes, including the Disabled Scholarship Scheme, Inter-caste Marriage Award Scheme, Disability Relief Allowance, Old Age Pension, Widow Pension and the Transgender Pension Scheme.