Women empowerment on priority agenda of state government in HP

Shimla, Mar 23 (UNI) In a bid to provide the fair sex their due, women empowerment is on the priority agenda of the Himachal Pradesh Government, an official spokesman today said.

The government's stand has said that to provide more opportunities to women in national re-construction and planning at all levels, women have been provided 33 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, the spokesman said in a release here.

He said the state government with a view to ensure their greater participation in decision making at grass root level has decided to enhance reservation to women by further 17 per cent.

Earlier, the women employees were getting holiday on Karwachauth, but now, the government has extended this facility to them on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj also.

The spokesman said the state government was protecting the interests of poor, helpless, widows and old aged women and various schemes are being implemented for their welfare.

In a major decision, the state government has enhanced social security pension from Rs. 200 to Rs 300 per month, which would benefit 68455 widows A sum of Rs 11,001 is being provided to poor and helpless girls as marriage grant under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadaan Yojna.

Besides, Rs. 25000 grant is being provided to young widows for their remarriage.

A financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per year is being provided to widows, helpless and divorcee women to bear the expenses of two children besides social security pension under Mother Teresa Asahay Matri Sambal Yojna, he said.

The spokesman said the state government is spending about Rs 30 crore every year on various programmes aimed at welfare and upliftment of women of the state.

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