Empowering women: CM Sukhu releases Rs 1,500 Grant to 509 beneficiaries in Dodra-Kwar

Shimla (The Uttam Hindu): Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi for Shimla district today in Dodra-Kwar, providing Rs 1,500 monthly support to 509 eligible women starting April 1, 2024. He allocated a total of Rs 91.62 lakh to these beneficiaries and an additional Rs 45.45 lakh for six months’ pension to 505 other women in Dodra-Kwar, amounting to Rs 18,000 annually for each eligible woman.

During his visit, Sukhu also inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects valued at around Rs 12 crore in Dodra-Kwar. This includes the inauguration of the Gosang-Jiskun road, built at a cost of Rs 5.43 crore, and the foundation stone for the Chamdhar road, which will cost Rs 5.46 crore. He also opened the first ATM of Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank in Kwar.

This marks Sukhu's third visit to Dodra-Kwar, where he expressed the government's commitment to empower the five panchayats in the area. He mentioned that work is underway to complete a road to Jakha by December this year. Additionally, the state government plans to establish a separate zila parishad for Dodra-Kwar to enhance communication between public representatives and the government regarding regional issues.

Sukhu announced a Rs 1 crore grant for the development of each of the five panchayats in Dodra-Kwar and allocated Rs 4.5 crore for constructing a bailey bridge to improve connectivity with Uttarakhand, ensuring year-round access to the region.

In his address, Sukhu criticized the BJP, claiming that opposition leaders have been spreading falsehoods about the guarantees made by the Congress party. He pointed out that since the failure of Operation Lotus, which increased Congress's strength from 34 to 40 in the Vidhan Sabha, the BJP has resorted to misleading propaganda.