Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that old age homes will be set up in all districts of Uttarakhand to strengthen welfare support for senior citizens. Speaking at a dialogue programme with senior citizens and differently-abled persons at the Chief Sevak Sadan in Dehradun, the CM also declared that the marriage grant for those marrying differently-abled individuals will be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. Additionally, the age limit for scholarships to differently-abled students from Class 1 to 8 will be removed.
The CM said that nearly six lakh elderly residents are already receiving pensions through DBT. Currently, state-run old age homes are operating in Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi, while construction of new facilities is underway in Dehradun, Almora, and Champawat. Old age homes in Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital are being run by NGOs. Dhami added that under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, elders now have the legal right to demand support from their children or legal heirs.
The CM also launched software for the Divyang Marriage Grant and National Family Benefit Scheme, along with the online disbursement of the fifth installment of pensions under various welfare programmes. He highlighted that more than 96,000 differently-abled individuals in the state are receiving pensions, with financial assistance ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 1,500 per month depending on age and category. Special schemes like Teelu Rauteli Pension for differently-abled persons injured during agricultural work and allowances for individuals under four feet in height are also being implemented.
