Will ensure widows’ children get higher education, says Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 19

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the government would ensure funds for higher education for children of widows.

While presiding over the state-level function of Ekal Nari Sangathan here today, the Chief Minister emphasised on the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the underprivileged sections of society. He said 40,000 new beneficiaries under the social security pension scheme would be added during the next financial year and an additional expenditure of Rs 70 crore would be made on this.

Financial aid for constructing homes

• The Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Shiksha Yojana will be implemented in the coming fiscal to support the education of children of widows till they attain the age of 27 years
• The scheme will cover expenses for various higher education courses, including medical, engineering, NITs, IIMs, IITs, nursing, graduation, and post-graduation
• The government will also provide financial support to widows for constructing their own homes
• A Centre of Excellence for Education of Persons with Disabilities would be set up at Kandaghat in Solan district

The Chief Minister said at present, Rs 1,260 crore (approx) has been allocated for the scheme which would benefit 7,84,000 individuals, including the elderly, widows, single women, disabled, and leprosy patients.

“The Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Shiksha Yojana will be implemented in the state in the coming fiscal to support the education of children of widows till they attain the age of 27 years. The income criteria for availing benefits of this scheme will be Rs 2.50 lakh annually,” he stated. He said the scheme would cover expenses for various higher education courses, including medical, engineering, NITs, IIMs, IITs, nursing, graduation, and post-graduation.

Apart from this, Rs 1,000 per month will be deposited in the recurring deposit accounts of the eligible children until they reach 18 years of age. The government will also cover the annual health insurance premium for eligible women. This initiative will entail Rs 41 crore (approx) as additional expenditure, Sukhu said.

He stated that the state government would also provide financial support to widows for constructing their own homes and provision for essential amenities such as electricity, water and other facilities.

“A Centre of Excellence for Education of Persons with Disabilities would be set up at Kandaghat in Solan district to provide higher education opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the state,” he said. It will offer comprehensive facilities, including playgrounds, residential accommodations, for individuals with disabilities till 27 years of age.

Financial assistance for rented accommodation will also be given to such eligible Divyang children who do not have any place or home to live in, he said.

MLA Harish Janartha and representatives of the Ekal Nari Sangathan were also present on the occasion.

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