Shimla, Feb 25 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday launched the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Samman Nidhi Yojana to provide monthly allowance of Rs 1500 to 2.42 lakh women in the state.
The state government was fulfilling all its guarantees in a phased manner, said Sukhu, as he launched the scheme which constitutes the fourth election guarantee the Congress government has fulfilled since coming to power. The launch was done by virtual mode from Keylong, in Lahaul & Spiti district.
The first phase of the scheme provides for the allowance to be given to all women of Lahaul & Spiti aged 18 or above.
"We have come to extend the benefits of the schemes to the last person standing in the queue and lay the foundation of self-reliant Himachal," remarked Sh. Sukhu.
He announced that the schools will remain closed in Lahaul Spiti in winter and the session would be held in the summer.
He also announced the opening of a Block Development office in Udaipur, Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School in Darcha, the starting of a sewerage scheme and water drainage scheme in Keylong, sa scheme for planned beautification of the city, the opening of a Public Health Centre in Tindi and a dispensary of Animal Husbandry Department in Madgran.
The Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh would become the country's first state to increase the age of marriage for girls from 18 years to 21 years.
He said the state government has started the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parrmar Vidyarthi Rin (Loan) Yojana to provide loans up to Rs. 20 lakh at one percent interest rate to meritorious students for higher education.
This was a sensitive effort by the state government to reach out to the vulnerable sections of the society, he added.
UNI ML SSP