Extending the social security network, the state government has announced including additional 17,456 people under a pension scheme applicable to the old aged, widows and physically challenged persons.
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh said that after the new inclusions, which become eligible form 1st July, 2007, the total number of beneficiaries under the scheme has gone up from 212,250 to 229,798 and an annual budget of Rs 60 crore had been earmarked.
Presiding over the state level vigilance and monitoring committee meet, the chief minister said that Mother Teresa Matri Sambal Yojna, instituted for providing financial help to the daughters of destitute women upto the age of 14, had benefited 7121 children. He also informed that poorest of poor women were being given preference in recruiting 10,894 Anganwari workers, which was underway.
