Dharamsala, April 15 : Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary on Friday said that more than one lakh people would get the benefit of social security pension in the current financial year and during the tenure of the present state government, pension has been sanctioned to 2.21 lakh people. Chaudhary was speaking after hoisting the flag at the district level function organized on the occasion of Himachal Day at Police Ground in Dharamsala and also took salute of the march past. She earlier, paid tributes to the martyrs at the martyr memorial here. Choudhary who was Chief Guest on the district level function in connection with Himachal Diwas today said in her address that on 15th April 1948, exactly 8 months after the independence of the country, this beautiful hill state was merged with 30 small and big hill princely states to form on Territory. She said that Chief Commissioners Province came into existence. She said that this day is a festival of sacrifices of freedom fighters of Himachal Pradesh, valor of brave soldiers and hard work of the people of the state in taking the state forward on the path of continuous development. She said that after the formation of the state, Himachal Pradesh moved ahead rapidly on the path of development and today this state has become a model of development not only for the hill states but also for other big states of the country. She said that the State Government in its very first cabinet meeting had reduced the age of getting old age pension from 80 years to 70 years without any income limit, which has now been reduced to 60 years. In the year 2017 when the BJP government came to power, at that time about Rs 436 crore was spent on social security pension whereas today more than Rs 1300 crore is being spent. She said that the present government started Mukhyamantri Grihini Suvidha Yojna for the eligible families of the state who were deprived of the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Under the scheme, three cylinders including free gas connections are being provided to 3.25 lakh families of the state and 1.37 lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Minister said that from this financial year, it has been decided to provide one more additional free cylinder to the beneficiaries under both these schemes. She said that Mukhyamantri Shagun Yojana was launched under which BPL For the marriage of daughters of families, financial assistance of Rs 31,000 is being provided. Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana has proved to be very beneficial in providing financial assistance for the marriage of destitute women and girls. On this occasion, the congratulatory message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also broadcast through LEDs at the Police Ground. The school children also presented colorful cultural programmes. The chief guest also awarded prizes to the participants who participated in the parade and cultural programs. Various dignitaries were present on the occasion including MLA Vishal Nehria, Media in-charge Rakesh Sharma, Deputy Mayor Sarv Chand Galotia, DC Kangra Nipun Jindal, Superintendent of Police Khushal Sharma and MPs of the Tibetan government-in-exile, including media coordinator Vishwa Chashu. XC SHK2024