Una, July 9:- On the fourth day of the first phase of the special awareness campaign being conducted by the Information and Public Relations Department, R.K. Kala Manch, Chintpurni organized public awareness programmes on Thursday in Kailash Nagar and Gagret Upper villages of Gagret subdivision. Through folk songs, music, and street plays, the artists educated villagers about the Himachal Pradesh Government's welfare schemes for the Scheduled Castes, public welfare policies, government achievements, and the anti-drug campaign.
During the programme, the artists informed the public that under the Himachal Government's Computer Training Scheme, one-year PGDCA and DCA computer courses are being offered to beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), persons with disabilities, widows, single and deserted women, and minority communities.
They further explained that during the training period, beneficiaries belonging to the SC, ST, OBC, minority communities, widows, and single women are provided a monthly stipend of Rs. 1,000 along with a placement-related stipend of Rs. 1,500.
Under the scheme, persons with disabilities are entitled to a monthly stipend of Rs. 1,200 and a placement-related stipend of Rs. 1,800. To avail the benefits of the scheme, applicants must be between 18 and 35 years of age, and their family's annual income should be less than Rs. 2 lakh.
The cultural troupe also provided information about various welfare schemes, including the Swarna Jayanti Ashraya Yojana, Chief Minister Sukh Ashraya Yojana, Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojana, and several other public welfare initiatives.
The artists placed special emphasis on drug de-addiction, describing substance abuse as a serious social evil. They appealed to the people to stay away from drugs and actively spread awareness against drug abuse in society.
It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Himachal Pradesh Government has been implementing several schemes and programmes for the socio-economic upliftment of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. A special awareness campaign is being conducted through cultural troupes to ensure that information about these schemes reaches every village.

**Upcoming Awareness Programmes**
R.K. Kala Manch, Chintpurni will organize awareness programmes on July 10, the final day of the first phase, at Moukhas and Sakohan in Bangana.
During the second phase, Purvi Kala Manch, Jalgran Tabba will conduct awareness programmes from July 14 to July 18. The schedule is as follows:

July 14: Jodiyan and Janani (Haroli)
July 15: Jangal Panjawar and Bhadsali Tholiyan (Haroli)
July 16: Batuhi and Lamlehri Upper (Una)
July 17: Jakhera and Bahadala Lower (Una)
July 18: Paroiyan Kalan and Pansai

Through songs, music, and street plays, the cultural teams will entertain the public while spreading awareness about various government welfare schemes.
The programme was attended by Upasana Devi, Pradhan of Gagret; Neelam Rani, Pradhan of Gagret Upper; Ajay Kumar, Deputy Pradhan of Gagret; Ashish Sharma, Deputy Pradhan of Gagret Upper; Mamta Kumari, Secretary; Arun Thakur, ward members of the concerned panchayats, and local villagers.