Transparent BPL Selection Will Ensure Welfare Benefits Reach Eligible Families: Kuldeep Singh Pathania

Chamba (Banikhet), August 12: Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said that ensuring transparency and impartiality in the selection of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families is a concrete step towards ensuring that poor and disadvantaged sections receive the benefits of various government welfare schemes according to their eligibility.

Pathania was speaking as the chief guest at a public interaction programme organised at Chinar Palace, Banikhet, on the third consecutive day of the ongoing dialogue with families selected under the BPL survey. Beneficiaries from 20 gram panchayats of the area participated in the programme.

He said the interaction programmes are aimed at ensuring that every eligible family living below the poverty line is identified and connected with the government’s welfare schemes. He added that the BPL identification process in Chamba district was carried out in eight phases without discrimination, based entirely on the identification of genuinely needy families. According to the current survey, around 50,000 families in the district have been identified under the BPL category.

The Assembly Speaker said the state government had also adopted a humanitarian approach while providing relief to families affected by disasters. The relief assistance was provided from the state’s own resources, without any consideration of political affiliation, he said.

Pathania said the state government is also working towards providing financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month to eligible BPL women under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi scheme. He said even a small amount of financial assistance can provide meaningful support to a poor family during difficult times.

Referring to the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, Pathania said the state government had taken a significant initiative to provide care, education, housing and a secure future to orphaned and destitute children. He said the comprehensive nature of the scheme makes it a landmark initiative for the overall welfare and future security of such children.

Pathania directed representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to actively assist eligible beneficiaries in getting connected with various welfare schemes and ensure that the benefits reach them.

He also listened to various grievances raised by residents during the programme and resolved most of the issues on the spot.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Anil Bhardwaj welcomed the Assembly Speaker. Block Development Officer Anil Gurada delivered the welcome address and shared important information related to Development Block Bhattiyat.