Dhumal govt initiates numerous welfare measures for women

Shimla: Providing 50 per cent reservation the fairer sex in panchayati raj institutions and holidays for female employees on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj are among pro-women measures taken by the Prem Kumar Dhumal government in Himachal Pradesh.

Dhumal announced holidays on Raksha Bandhan and Bhaiya Dooj for women employees, free travelling facilities in Himachal Pradesh Road Transport buses on these days and 50 per cent reservation to women in all panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies.

The government has also enhanced social security pension from Rs 200 to Rs 300 which would benefit 68,455 widows. Rs 11,001 is being provided to poor girls as marriage grant under Mukhya Mantri Kanyadaan yojna, official sources said today.

Rs 25,000 grant is being provided to young widows for remarriage. A financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per year is being provided to young widows and divorcees who have upto two children, they said.