Social Security and Welfare Among State Government’s Top Priorities: Kuldeep Singh Pathania

Chamba (Chowari), August 10: Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said that the state government was fully committed to social welfare and had accorded special priority to social security and the well-being of vulnerable sections of society.

Addressing beneficiaries at the Tribal Bhawan in Sihunta, Bhatiyat development block, Pathania said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government had launched several welfare initiatives aimed at supporting poor, disadvantaged and deprived sections of society.

The Assembly Speaker interacted with beneficiaries identified through the first to eighth phases of the survey conducted by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments for BPL families. He sought feedback on the implementation of various government welfare schemes and the benefits reaching eligible families, stressing the need to ensure that no deserving beneficiary is left out.

Pathania said the government had maintained a special focus on the welfare of poor, destitute and socially disadvantaged sections. He described the Sukha-Aashray scheme for destitute children and the changes made to the disaster relief manual to provide enhanced financial assistance to disaster-affected people as significant steps reflecting the government’s commitment to social welfare.

He said a transparent process had been adopted for identifying eligible families under the BPL category. The government was committed to ensuring that genuine beneficiaries receive the benefits of welfare schemes in a timely manner and are empowered socially and economically.

Earlier, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manish Soni welcomed the Assembly Speaker and presented him with a traditional shawl and cap. He also briefed the gathering on the BPL selection process and various welfare schemes. Block Development Officer Anil Gurada delivered the welcome address and shared key information regarding the Bhatiyat development block.

Pathania interacted with around 2,030 beneficiaries from 26 gram panchayats in two sessions. The first session included beneficiaries from Chhalada, Sihunta, Garnota, Motla, Walana, Kathla, Dhulara, Thulel, Kamla, Rajen Gola, Hatli and Kakroti gram panchayats.

The second session was attended by beneficiaries from Kadheth, Binna, Samot, Jasur, Khargat, Surpara, Dharun, Tikri, Tundi, Khanora, Morthu, Jolna and Manhuta gram panchayats.

During the interaction, Pathania directed the Tehsil Welfare Officer to take necessary steps at the panchayat level to resolve issues related to e-KYC in pension cases without delay. Regarding housing-related cases, he assured the people that eligible families who had been left out of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana would be considered for approval under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana.

It was informed that the Bhatiyat development block comprises 71 gram panchayats, of which 11 also fall under the Dalhousie Assembly constituency. The block has a total of 5,517 BPL families.

Several public representatives and senior officials, including State Forest Corporation Director Board Member Chela Krishan Chand, Zila Parishad member Kusum Lata, Panchayat Samiti member Rashmi Devi, Tehsildar Surender Kumar, Block Medical Officer Dr Shyam Lal, Executive Engineer Pankaj Rathore, Rakesh Thakur, Narendra Chaudhary, Tehsil Welfare Officer Aarti Devi and Child Development Project Officer Dharamvir, were present on the occasion.