Shimla,July 08:Smt. Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister thanked Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister for setting up first Women India Reserve Battalion for the State. She said that this step was an indication that state government was committed towards the welfare of women in the State. She said that employment opportunities would be provided to more than 1000 women through the battalion.
She said that state government was according top priority to the welfare of women. She said that women in the state have been provided holidays for Bhaiya Dooj and Raksha Bandhan besides free traveling facility in HRTC buses on these days. She said that during the previous tenure of BJP government, holiday was on Karva Chauth for working women.
Smt. Chaudhary said that the present government, during its previous tenure, had started Matri Shakti Bima Yojna for women belonging to IRDP families and added that state government has decided to continue the same. She said that state government had decided to enhance the benefits under this scheme and now Rs. 50,000 would be provided in case of death and Rs. 25,000 in case of partial handicap to the beneficiaries.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said that women have been provided 50 percent reservation in PRIs and Urban Local Bodies in order to ensure their participation in the process of development. She said that it has been decided to give final shape to recruitment process of Anganwari workers at local level in order to generate employment opportunities at grass root level. She said that enhancement in the honorarium of members of State Women Commission to Rs. 600 per meeting or Rs. 10,000 per month whichever is higher, has been approved in order to facilitate the women further.
She said that during the previous tenure of BJP government three female constables were deployed in every police station of the state in order to facilitate women in redressal of their grievances. She said that Maharishi Balmiki Chhatravriti Yojna is also being implemented in the state for girls belonging to the families involved in cleanliness profession. She said that Rs. 9,000 annual scholarship was being provided to the beneficiaries.
The Minister lauded the efforts of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal aimed at the welfare of women.