Shimla
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Sammaan Nidhi Yojana for 2,238 eligible women in Banjar block, Kullu district, on Wednesday. Under this scheme, Rs. 1.71 crore (Rs. 4,500 per woman for April to June) was transferred directly to the beneficiaries' savings accounts. Sukhu said the government is committed to supporting all sections that have been left out of state benefits. He announced plans to include domestic workers and daughters of widows in the scheme, extending financial aid to more women.
Addressing critics, Sukhu said, We have closed corruption loopholes and saved public funds, which are now being used to give Rs. 1,500 monthly to women in phases. The current phase covers Banjar women, with plans to expand soon.
The Chief Minister also distributed Rs. 5.87 lakh to 37 beneficiaries under various schemes like Beti Hai Anmol, Shagun, and Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan. He encouraged people to enroll in government welfare programs.
Earlier this week, Sukhu met with medical staff at IGMC Shimla and Atal Institute in Chamiyana to discuss health sector challenges. He assured that nurses who served during the COVID-19 pandemic will be prioritized in upcoming recruitment drives. The government is also working to fill vacancies for doctors, paramedics, and technicians using modern technology, aiming to strengthen the state’s healthcare system.