17,548 persons brought under social security pension cover

Shimla, Aug 9 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced that a sum of Rs 60 crore annually to bring 17,548 more old aged, widows and physically challenged persons under social security pension cover from July one this year.

With this, the number of beneficiaries have risen from existing 2,12,250 to 2,29,798 such persons, Mr Singh said while presiding over the state-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee, constituted to implement the provisions of Atrocities Against SC, ST (Prevention) Act, 1995.

He said that his government was concerned about the conditions of marginalised section of the society and was dealing firmly with the persons involved in atrocities against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the State. He said that provisions of the Act were being implemented in letter and spirit.

The Chief Minister also said the state government would ensure that the truth comes out in the case of the murder of late Ms Shakina Devi, a SC member of Jwalamukhi in Kangra district during 1998-99.

He directed the authorities that no case of atrocities should be dropped without discussions in the District Level Committees, constituted to implement the Act, and further action should be taken or forwarded to the State Level Committee after consensus of the Committees.

He also directed the authorities to convene bi-annual meeting of the State Level Committee to monitor the progress of the issues raised by members of the Committee.

Mr Singh said that state government was spending Rs 231 crore under the Scheduled Caste Component Sub Plan during current financial year, while Rs 197.38 crore was also being spent under various schemes envisioned for welfare and development of the marginalised sections of the society.

He said that social welfare sector was being accorded top priority and half of the amount of annual plan had been earmarked for this vital sector.

UNI