The State Government is committed for the welfare of every section of the society and providing special attention to the upliftment of financially and socially underprivileged. Several schemes have been launched and implemented effectively to bring these sections into the mainstream and making them financially self reliant. Tribal Sub Plan for the development of backward areas is being implemented for which a budget provision of Rs.468 Crore has been made for the current financial year.
Besides, State Government has constituted Gaddi, Gorkha, Labana, Scheduled Caste Welfare Boards, Other Backward Classes Welfare Board, Minority Welfare Board, Kabirpanthi Welfare Board, Vishwakarmi Samaj Welfare Board, Ravidas Welfare Board, Koli Welfare Board and Balmiki Welfare Board so as to ensure welfare of there section of the society.
With an objective to make aged, widows and specially abled persons financially viable Social Security Pension Schemes are being implemented effectively in the State. During last three years Social Security Pension has been raised from Rs. 450 to Rs. 650 per month. Whereas the pension of persons with 70 percent disability and persons above aged 80 years of age who are not availing any other pension has been enhanced to Rs. 1200 per month from Rs. 800.
Social Security Pension to widows, mothers below the age of 45 years has been enhanced from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1200. The present State Government has sanctioned 57,000 new cases of social security pension during last three years and a target of providing social security pension to 24,000 new eligible persons has been fixed for the current year.
With a view to ensure transparency and efficiency in distribution of social security pension, the State Government has decided to start Aadhar based post office account number from this year so that pensioners could get their pension easily at their door step. Initially this scheme has been implemented in Kullu and Mandi districts on pilot basis.
To eradicate social evils like untouchability from the society, scheme for encouraging inter caste marriages has also been started under which an amount of Rs. 50,000 was being provided to those who get married to a member belonging to scheduled caste. Marriage grant has also been enhanced from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 40,000 to the persons having disability over 70 percent.
House grant of Rs. 75,000 is being given to the beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes having an annual income of less than Rs. 35,000 for construction of house. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries are also eligible to get a grant of Rs. 25,000 for renovation of their houses.
Safai Karamchari's and employees engaged in sewerage treatment plants have been brought under Jeevan Bima Yojna. Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna has been launched in those villages where population of Scheduled Caste is above 40 percent or 200 persons to ensure their overall development and to provide them basic amenities.