Himachal Pradesh Announces New Pension Scheme for Women, Raising Questions from Opposition

Himachal Pradesh Announces New Pension Scheme for Women, Raising Questions from Opposition

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu unveiled a new social welfare initiative called the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana” during a press conference in Shimla on 4th March 2024. This program aims to empower women across the state by providing a monthly pension of Rs 1500 to all eligible women between the ages of 18 and 80.

Scheme Details and Benefits:

• Commencement: Financial year 2024-25
• Targeted beneficiaries: Over 5 lakh women across Himachal Pradesh
• Monthly pension: Rs 1500
• Annual budget allocation: Rs 800 crore
• Existing pension enhancement: Women above 60 years to receive Rs 1500 (previously Rs 1150)

Government Achievements and Challenges Highlighted:

Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the Congress government’s commitment to its promises made before the elections. He highlighted several achievements during the first year in office, including:

• Implementation of the old pension scheme
• Launch of the Rs 650 crore Rajiv Gandhi Startup Scheme
• Introduction of English medium education in schools from class 1
• Initiatives supporting agriculture and dairy farming

He also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the state, including a Rs 75,000 crore debt and Rs 10,000 crore in employee benefit liabilities. Despite these hurdles, the government has implemented various impactful programs and demonstrated resilience in the face of the recent rain disaster that destroyed around 4,000 houses.

Opposition Raises Concerns:

While the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana” aims to improve the social and economic well-being of women in Himachal Pradesh, the leader of the opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, expressed concerns about the scheme’s reach. He pointed out that the targeted 5 lakh beneficiaries represent only a fraction of the state’s 22 lakh women in the 18-80 age group, leaving a significant portion of the population excluded from the program’s benefits.

This new pension scheme has sparked discussions about its potential impact on women’s empowerment and the need for broader coverage to ensure inclusivity and maximize its benefits for the state’s female population.

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