Dehradun: Reviewing the functioning of the Social Welfare Department, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to design welfare schemes not only to meet present-day needs but also to address the requirements of the next 25 years. He emphasized better coordination, financial discipline, and long-term sustainability to make Uttarakhand’s welfare model a benchmark for the country.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hostels under construction at Doiwala (Dehradun), Paines (Nainital), and Someshwar (Almora) are completed by October 2026. The hostels are intended to provide improved residential and educational facilities for students belonging to Scheduled Castes.
During the meeting, CM Dhami released the June 2026 pension instalments under various social welfare schemes through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. A total of ₹145.42 crore was transferred directly into the bank accounts of 980,950 beneficiaries across the state. This includes approximately ₹7.02 crore from the Central Government and ₹138.40 crore from the State Government.
The released amount includes:
- ₹91.69 crore for over 611,000 old-age pension beneficiaries.
- ₹35.38 crore for more than 235,000 widow pension beneficiaries.
- ₹13.32 crore for 88,787 disability pension beneficiaries.
- Financial assistance for beneficiaries under the Farmers’ Pension, Destitute Women’s Pension, Maintenance Pension, Teelu Rauteli Pension, and Dwarf Pension
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that eligible citizens begin receiving old-age pensions automatically upon attaining the age of 60, eliminating unnecessary paperwork and procedural delays. He said the government’s objective is to extend social security, dignity, and welfare benefits to the last person in society.
The review also covered the Babu Jagjivan Ram Hostel Scheme, under which modern hostels are being constructed for Scheduled Caste students. The Central Government provides up to ₹3.25 crore per hostel, while the State Government contributes additional funds wherever required.
The meeting was attended by Cabinet Minister Khajan Das, the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, and other senior officials.
