Ensuring social security for citizens is the responsibility of the Government but public efforts to fulfill social responsibility are also needed. Chief Minister Harish Rawat said this while speaking at a programme organised by the Uttarakhand Kamgar Mahasangh here on Sunday.
Speaking at the programme to felicitate him for facilitating inclusion of newspaper hawkers and medical representatives in the worker category, the Chief Minister said that desirable changes in the society can be brought about only from within the society.
Efforts should be made by the citizens where the Governmental efforts do not seem to be adequate, he said. Rawat said that the members of society with the means and resources should come forward in assistance of those without such resources.
He said, “Warm clothing could be provided to the destitute living on the roadsides and open spaces during the winter. The public can also help the government in facilitating fire-stoves to provide warmth to the destitute. We have made the effort and succeeded in bringing about 10 lakh persons under the purview of social security by varied means. Our attempt is to ensure that not a single needy person is deprived of pension.
A pension scheme has also been started for women who sing on auspicious occasions. The chief minister health insurance scheme is an important scheme. In case of any inadequacy in this scheme or intended beneficiaries being unable to get their documentation done, political and social activists should come forward to provide the required assistance.
Change in society is brought about by small initiatives,” said Rawat. The CM said that the State Government had also focused on generating resources of the state with a target of `500 crore being set for the current year. Referring to the smart city project, the CM said that if Dehradun smart city project is not cleared this time, there will be no possibility for the same in the next couple of years.
Citizens of the middle and lower middle class will be provided homes at low cost through the smart city project. There will be provision for dense plantation and a green top in every home in the smart city project, added the CM.