Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reinforced the state government’s commitment to inclusive welfare by announcing several new initiatives for senior citizens and divyangjans during an interactive session held at the Chief Sevak Sadan on Thursday.
Key Announcements for Divyangjans
The Chief Minister launched new software for the Divyang Marriage Grant Scheme and the National Family Benefit Scheme, along with the fifth installment of social welfare pensions through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He also declared that the incentive under the Divyang Marriage Scheme has been doubled from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000. Additionally, income limits for scholarships to divyang students from Class 1 to Class 8 have been removed to ensure wider access.
Enhanced Pension and Support
Highlighting the government’s welfare measures, CM Dhami said over 96,000 divyang beneficiaries in the state currently receive pensions. Of these, more than 86,000 individuals above 18 years are provided ₹1,500 per month, while 8,000 children below 18 years receive ₹700 monthly. The state also provides special pensions under the Teelu Rauteli Pension Scheme for divyang persons injured in agriculture work and Dwarf Pension Scheme for individuals with a height below four feet.
Old Age Homes in Every District
In a major relief for the elderly, Dhami announced the establishment of one old age home in each district of Uttarakhand. Presently, government-run old age homes operate in Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi, with new facilities under construction in Dehradun, Almora, and Champawat. Several NGOs are also supporting this initiative in other districts.
Commitment to Social Security
CM Dhami underlined that protecting the dignity and rights of senior citizens remains a priority. The state has already implemented the Parents and Senior Citizens Maintenance Act to safeguard elders’ legal rights to maintenance. “Your son will ensure there is no shortfall in your dignity, safety, or facilities,” Dhami assured senior citizens present at the event.
Women and Social Welfare Participation
Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, MLAs, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, and senior social welfare officials were present at the event. The Chief Minister emphasized that the welfare model is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowerment, citing schemes such as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, ADIP Scheme, and Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana as guiding frameworks.
