Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday released Rs 3.27 crore for three-month Samman Nidhi of Rs. 4500 each to 7280 women in an event organised at Haroli of district Una under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana. During the event, he handed out cheques to the beneficiary women.
He said that over 48,000 women aged 18-59 across the state have received the three-month Samman Nidhi installment of Rs. 4500 each, with the State Government allocating a budget of Rs. 23 crore for this initiative. He said that BJP was continuously misleading women about the scheme and were creating obstacles for implementing it. He said that the opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur frequently questioned women receiving Rs. 1500, but our government has eliminated corruption and provided the samman nidhi.
He said that while the Central Government provides Rs. 6000 per year to farmers, the Congress Government in Himachal Pradesh is giving Rs. 18000 per year to all eligible women over 18 years. This ensures that women can live with dignity and manage small expenses independently. He assured that the State Government is committed to providing Rs. 1500 per month to eligible women and emphasized that their focus is on public service, not political gains.
He said that opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur’s prediction of forming a government in Himachal Pradesh on 4 June, 2024 was flashed away. However, the people of the state have rejected the MLAs, who lacked integrity. With three more by-elections approaching, he believes that the voters would also hold accountable the independent MLAs who betrayed their trust and tried to topple the elected government.
Sukhu said that during the tenure of the previous BJP government, corruption was rampant and that their leaders shielded corrupt activities. In contrast, the present State Government took immediate action against corruption after taking up office. He noted that the economic condition of the State was poor under the regime of BJP Government, but the present government was working to improve it gradually.
He further said that one of the significant steps taken by the present government was restoring the old pension scheme for approximately 1.36 lakh state Government employees during its first cabinet meeting. He also highlighted the decline in education quality under the BJP, but assured that the present government has introduced English medium education from the first class and is establishing Rajiv Gandhi Day-Boarding Schools to upgrade the standard of education.
He mentioned that it was the first time both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister hailed from the Hamirpur Parliamentary Constituency. He praised Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri for his dedicated service to the area. During the Cabinet meeting held yesterday, a decision was made to establish a new Division of the Electricity Board. Additionally, schemes worth Rs. 2,000 crore were approved for his Assembly constituency. He also highlighted that the State Government is setting up a Bulk Drug Park costing over Rs. 1,000 crore, which will create employment opportunities for local youth and strengthen the economic condition of both the state and the area.
While remembering the wife of Agnihotri, the Chief Minister expressed that her passing was a personal loss for him. He recalled that late Dr. Simmi Agnihotri, whom he had known since university days, was a strong advocate for deprived women. She fought tirelessly for their rights, and the provision of Rs. 1,500 in assistance is a meaningful tribute to her from their side.
The Chief Minister announced to increase the posts of GNM from 40 to 60 in Himcapes College of Law and Nursing Badhera. Apart from this he also announced 50 lakh each for the strengthening of Dulehar Park and Beetan Ground.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri thanked the Chief Minister for launching the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana in the Haroli Assembly constituency and for other announcements. He praised this initiative as a revolutionary step towards making women self-reliant. Agnihotri mentioned that the BJP tried hard to stop the women’s pension scheme, but the present government thwarted these efforts.
He pointed out that BJP leaders frequently questioned women about when they would receive Rs. 1500 and discouraged them from filling out the pension scheme forms, calling it a waste of time. Despite some women being influenced by the BJP, those who filled out the forms have now received Rs. 4500 each, which demonstrates the trustworthiness of the present government.
Agnihotri emphasized that a politician’s word is their most significant asset. Having served as an MLA for 25 years, he noted the continuous increase in his votes, reflecting the people’s support and trust in him. He said that after the upcoming by-elections, women in the Nalagarh, Hamirpur, and Dehra Assembly constituencies would also receive Samman Nidhi. He assured that the pension amount would be increased over time and emphasized that the present government would provide pensions fairly to all eligible women, without favoritism. Himcapes College of law and Nursing Badhera honoured the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil praised the Chief Minister for his special efforts towards the upliftment, betterment, and empowerment of women. Right after taking office, Sukhu visited Balika Ashram Tutikandi and enacted a law designating orphans as ‘Children of the State,’ placing their care under the government’s responsibility. Additionally, the Chief Minister launched the Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray Yojana, which provides education and comprehensive care to 4000 children.
MLA Sudarshan Babloo, District Congress President Ranjeet Rana, Block Congress President Vinod Bittu, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
