The Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is not only serious about helping the poor and needy persons in order to weave them into mainstream of the society but he is also poring over to formulate such schemes that can directly benefit the beneficiaries. Chief Minister Cycle Rickshaw Pullers Welfare Scheme (Chief Minister’s Scheme for Rickshaw Pullers), Hand-cart Pullers Welfare Scheme and Chief Minister Urban Domestic Working Women Welfare Scheme are such among them. Under the schemes, hundreds of beneficiaries are taking benefits.Under the Cycle Rickshaw Pullers Welfare Scheme and Handcart Pullers Scheme, 164 beneficiaries have become owners from pullers as they own rickshaws and handcarts. The beneficiaries are expressing a sigh of happiness on becoming owners.
A 66-year-old Narayan Namdeo, cycle rickshaw puller, is one of the examples, who spent his 50 years while pulling rickshaw on hire from Rupee 1.75 to Rs 30-35. He says that he would have come into mainstream much earlier if he had been benefited by previous governments. This beneficiary also bears the educational expenses of his children. Yet another 44-year-old beneficiary, Shri Ramesh Raikwar says that he is 11 class passed and wants her child get higher education. Presently, she is studying in 10th standard. Dresses and books are being provided by the State Government.
Rickshaw pullers Shri Rajendra, Pawan, Ratan, Balli, Chandram, Surat Patel and hand cart pullers Shri Tekchand, Dharmendra, Gopaldas are such beneficiaries who have become owners. Now, they are happy as they will not have to pay for hiring the cart/ rickshaw. Rickshaw pullers Shri Jeevanlal Patel and Shri Hemant Chakravorty say that they are saving Rs 600 to 700 per month. They have to pay installment of Rs 210-220 in the bank. Now, they are eking out a living with Rs 3 thousand to Rs 4,500 per month.
It may be mentioned here that the State Government has granted an amount of Rs 2 lakh 20 thousand among 39 beneficiaries under Cycle Rickshaw Pullers Scheme. Besides, the bank cases of 117 beneficiaries have been cleared. 218 bank cases under Hand-cart Pullers Welfare Scheme have been sanctioned and 125 beneficiaries were provided hand-cart. A subsidy of Rs 5 lakh 28 thousand was given by the Government. Under the Chief Minister Urban Domestic Working Women Welfare Scheme, 3111 registrations have been made and issued identity cards.