The Himachal Pradesh government is preparing to roll out two welfare measures for economically weaker sections on October 2, with around 2.5 lakh women set to receive Rs 1,500 each and nearly 1.80 lakh extremely poor families expected to benefit from up to 300 units of free electricity. The initiatives are being processed by the concerned state departments as the government works to complete beneficiary verification.

Under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme, eligible women aged between 21 and 60 years will receive Rs 1,500 directly in their bank accounts. The ninth phase of the scheme is scheduled to be completed by September 20. Officials said around 2.41 lakh applications have already reached the Rural Development Department after verification of the eighth phase, while around 10,000 additional applications are expected during the ninth phase.

Following the processing of applications received in the ninth phase, the list of eligible beneficiaries is expected to be notified at the SDM level on September 25. Preparations will then begin for transferring the assistance directly into the bank accounts of eligible women. Women above 60 years who meet the required criteria are already covered under social security pension schemes, according to the information provided.

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Alongside the women's financial assistance, the state government is preparing to implement a 300-unit free electricity scheme for around 1.80 lakh extremely poor families. The beneficiaries have reportedly been shortlisted using information collected at the panchayat level, with the Rural Development Department preparing a database based on data gathered from rural areas.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Department will facilitate the direct transfer of Rs 1,500 to eligible women's bank accounts after the verification process is completed. The government has planned the direct benefit transfer mechanism to ensure that the assistance reaches beneficiaries without intermediaries. The proposed electricity scheme is also intended to reduce the monthly domestic power burden on the state's poorest households.

With preparations for both initiatives being expedited, the October 2 rollout is expected to provide financial assistance to women and reduce household electricity expenses for thousands of families across Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is expected to highlight the welfare measures and their intended benefits for economically weaker sections as the state moves towards implementing the schemes.

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