SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday announced to set up Rs 101 crore CM's Sukhashraya Sahayata Kosh for the destitutes in the state.
The CM said that all 40 Congress MLAs have agreed to contribute Rs one lakh each from their first salary for the fund and also requested the MLAs from BJP and other parties to contribute. He said that the collected fund would be spent on the higher education of destitute children so that they can fulfill their dreams of pursuing courses in engineering, medicine, management and other streams from the reputed institutions like IIT, IIM, AIIMS and NIT.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while addressing media persons in Shimla on Sunday said that there are 6,000 destitute children in Himachal Pradesh. He said that chief minister's Sukhashray Sahayata Kosh with an outlay of Rs 101 crore would provide the facility of higher education to needy children and destitute women. He said that through this fund beside bearing the educational expenses, the government would also provide Rs 4,000 monthly pocket money to the destitute children and women pursuing higher education.
He said that the state government will bear the expenditure on skill development education, higher education and vocational training of such children in engineering colleges, IIIT, NIT, IIM, IT, polytechnic institutes, nursing and degree colleges etc. They will also be given financial assistance as per their requirement so that they can lead a respectable life. He said that the State government was committed to ensure the welfare of needy children, especially orphans, destitute women and senior citizens.
The chief minister said that receiving assistance from this fund would be free from government restrictions and no income certificate would be needed. The assistance will be given directly to the beneficiary's account immediately by the department of social justice and empowerment on simple application.
Sukhu said that efforts will also be made to seek financial assistance under CSR from philanthropists and companies etc so that all the vulnerable sections could be provided with good and high quality facilities.
He said that children living in child care institutions, all children being benefited under foster care, destitute women living in Nari Seva Sadan, Shakti Sadan and residents of old age homes would be benefited under this scheme. He said that if any other orphan child is identified by the District Child Protection Unit, he will also be benefited under this scheme.
The CM said that the government was the guardian of the children who do not have parents. A notification has already been issued by the state government to provide festival grants of Rs 500 to the residents of Child Care Institutions, Nari Seva Sadan, Shakti Sadan and Old Age Homes to celebrate the festivals.
