SHIMLA: At the State-level Independence Day function held at Barsar today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu distributed financial assistance of over Rs. 20.61 crore to 4,967 eligible beneficiaries under various welfare schemes of the Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Under the Marriage Assistance Scheme, 1,758 beneficiaries received Rs. 8.98 crore, while 2,788 beneficiaries were provided Rs. 7.89 crore under the Education Assistance Scheme. Further, 17 beneficiaries received Rs. 3.54 lakh as medical assistance.
Similarly, financial assistance of Rs. 1.49 crore was provided to 60 beneficiaries under the Death and Funeral Assistance Scheme, while 109 beneficiaries received Rs. 38.02 lakh under the Maternity and Paternity Assistance Scheme. 68 beneficiaries were provided financial assistance of Rs. 89.77 lakh for the construction of houses. Further, 63 beneficiaries received Rs. 12 lakh under the Mentally Disabled Assistance Scheme, while 61 single, deserted and differently-abled women were provided assistance of Rs. 61 lakh. Under the Child Birth Gift Scheme, 39 beneficiaries received financial assistance of Rs. 19.89 lakh.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also honoured Dr. Rajendra Kanwar, a 77-year-old retired Senior Medical Officer, for his exemplary contribution to society. Dr. Kanwar has donated his entire movable and immovable property, valued at over Rs. 80 crore, to Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College and Hospital, Hamirpur. The Chief Minister lauded the noble gesture and described it as an inspiring example of social commitment and service to humanity.
He also honoured the family members of freedom fighters and launched a song ‘Wo Ruka Nahi’ on the occasion. The Chief Minister also gave away prizes to the participants of the Independence Day parade and cultural programmes, acknowledging their enthusiastic participation in the State-level celebrations.
