Rishikesh: The ‘Seva Pakhwada’ (Service Fortnight) programme, organized with the message of service, good governance, and public welfare, turned into a major public service hub at the IDPL Ground on Saturday. Held in the presence of Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the multi-purpose camp witnessed participation from over 20,000 people, while more than 3,500 beneficiaries received benefits under various government welfare schemes on the spot.
Departments from Dehradun, Haridwar, and Tehri jointly set up camps offering services related to healthcare, social welfare, agriculture, industry, animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries, dairy, and banking. Many public grievances were resolved immediately at the venue.
The health camp emerged as the biggest attraction. Specialist doctors examined and treated 1,009 patients, including orthopaedic, gynaecological, and ENT cases. Services included 95 X-rays, 70 blood tests, vaccination of 13 children, issuance of 15 Ayushman Cards, 20 ABHA health cards, health check-ups for 310 people by the AYUSH Department, free distribution of medicines, and online registration of 23 disability certificates.
The Social Welfare Department approved widow, old-age, and disability pensions for 75 eligible beneficiaries, while 280 persons with disabilities received assistive devices. Departments related to agriculture, horticulture, industry, dairy, fisheries, sericulture, and banking extended benefits under various schemes to more than 1,200 beneficiaries.
During the programme, the Governor and Chief Minister honoured outstanding self-help groups, entrepreneurs, and beneficiaries of various government schemes. Five self-help groups were awarded ₹5 lakh each as incentive grants by the Cooperation Department.
Three youths from Almora, Dehradun, and Tehri, who had undergone skill development training and secured employment in Japan with monthly salaries of around ₹1 lakh, were also felicitated. Beneficiaries excelling in fisheries, horticulture, industry, and dairy sectors were likewise honoured.
The Governor and Chief Minister also visited stalls set up by different departments, reviewed the implementation of government schemes, and directed officials to further strengthen public service delivery.
