Una, February 27: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri stated that the state government is fully committed to the social and economic empowerment of the vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of society. Over the past year and a half, ?186 crore has been spent on social security schemes in Una district, directly benefiting over 70,000 eligible families.
He was presiding over a meeting of the District Welfare Committee held at the Zila Parishad auditorium in Una on Friday. Present at the meeting were Shri Chintpurni MLA Sudarshan Bablu, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, Superintendent of Police Sachin Hiremath, non-official members of the committee, and officials from relevant departments.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the government is ensuring that the benefits of the schemes reach every eligible individual in a transparent and timely manner. He stated that social security pensions have been provided to over 70,000 beneficiaries in the district, spending ?121 crore in 2024-25 and ?64.65 crore so far in the current financial year.
In the current financial year, ?41.97 crore was distributed to 44,818 beneficiaries under the Old Age Pension Scheme. Under the Widow Pension Scheme, ?8.98 crore was provided to 9,412 women, and ?5.7 crore was provided to 6,065 persons with disabilities as Disability Relief Allowance.
Under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, ?5.17 crore was provided to 5,451 eligible women, and ?1.9 crore was provided to 2,055 women under the Indira Gandhi Widow Pension Scheme.
To promote social harmony, 76 couples were given incentives of ?38 lakh under the Inter-Caste Marriage Incentive Scheme. 32 individuals suffering from atrocities were provided relief of ?12.75 lakh.
In the field of skill development, 162 youth were given skill development allowances of ?79.73 lakh under the Computer Application Scheme. Under the Disabled Scholarship Scheme, 11 beneficiaries were provided financial assistance of Rs. 1.41 lakh, and under the Disabled Marriage Grant Scheme, 7 couples were provided financial assistance of Rs. 2.75 lakh. Additionally, 26 SC, ST, and OBC families were provided financial assistance of Rs. 8.25 lakh under the Housing Grant Scheme.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to ensure regular review of schemes at the district level so that no eligible person is deprived of benefits. He stated that social security schemes are not merely financial assistance, but a sensitive initiative rooted in a sense of respect and security.
MLA Sudarshan Bablu raised various public interest issues in the meeting and emphasized the need to effectively deliver the benefits of the schemes to eligible beneficiaries.
Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal assured that full compliance with the instructions given in the meeting will be ensured and the schemes will be effectively monitored. District Welfare Officer Awas Pandit gave a detailed presentation on departmental schemes.
Congress District President Deshraj Gautam, senior leader Ranjeet Rana, Water Management Board member Pawan Thakur, State Transport Corporation member Vivek Minka, Mehtab Thakur along with other non-government members, Assistant Commissioner Varinder Sharma and all the SDMs and concerned officers of the district were present in the meeting.