State Level International Women’s Day Function held at Shimla

Shimla: Smt. Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister said that State Government has decided to double the insurance benefits under Matri Shakti Bima Yojna to Rs. 50,000 in case of accidental death and Rs. 25,000 in case of loss of one limb. She was speaking in the State Level function held here today on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is “Survival to Success-Celebrate her Life”.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Sarveen Chaudhary said that State Government was committed to the welfare of all sections of the society, especially women and added that after assuming power, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister had taken various decisions which benefited the poor, downtrodden and women folk. She said that State Government has increased the social security pension from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per month and added that free travelling facilities in HRTC buses to women besides holidays for Government women employees have been provided on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj. She said that State Government was according top priority to women empowerment.
She said that welfare of women had always been the focus of the present Government and added that the Government has also decided to provide 50 percent reservation to women in PRIs and local bodies. She said that State Government was spending Rs. 30 crore on welfare activities for women every year and was providing various facilities to women under Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Smt. Chaudhary said that 18500 Women Self Help Groups were functioning in the State, which have more than 2 lakh members. She said that 16 hostels have been constructed for facilitating girls students belonging to SC/ST/OBC and 20 hostels were under construction in the State. She said that 14 hostels were functioning in the State to facilitate working women.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister expressed concern over the female foeticide and said that according to 2001 census, the female sex ratio in the age group upto 6 years was 897. She said that State Government was committed to check this practice and added that strict action would be initiated against those clinics, which were indulging in such practice. She appealed the women to play significant role in checking such heinous crime.
Earlier, Smt. Chaudhary also visited the exhibitions put up by various Self Help Groups. Blood donation Camps, Sports and Cultural activities were organized on the occasion.