ITANAGAR, Apr 2: The State Cabinet that met today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu took several important decision for welfare of the people including extending scope of the Chief Minister’s Bal Seva Scheme (CMBSS) and enhancement of pension under the Chief Minister’s Social Security Scheme (CMSSS) besides approving grant of 50% SGST reimbursement for the 1200 MW Kalai II Hydro Electric Project.
CMBSS:
The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s BAL SEVA Scheme will now provide support to all registered orphaned children of the state. Earlier, the benefits of the scheme were available only to COVID orphans. With the extension of scope, the scheme will also be extended to all orphaned children of the state registered under Baal Swaraj Portal, residing in Child Care Institutions and declared as ‘Child in Need of Care and Protection’under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,2015.
These children will be provided with financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month per child till the age of 18 years and the amount shall be in addition to any other assistance provided under Mission Vatsalya scheme under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, and a provision of a laptop or tablet for those beneficiaries who have entered Class 11, college or a vocational course.
CMSSS:
In a landmark decision to bolster social welfare, the Cabinet has approved enhancements of pension amount under the Chief Minister’s Social Security Scheme.
The pension amount for all three components of the scheme—old age pension, disability pension, and widow pension—has been increased by Rs 300 per month.
Further, the age eligibility for availing widow pension has been lowered to 18 years from the existing 40 years making the Chief Minister’s Widow Pension Scheme universal.
The enhancements and lowering the age criteria for the widow pension scheme will empower the elderly, differently-abled, and widows and will benefit over 50,000 beneficiaries through enhanced social security provisions.
The enhanced pensions and lowering the age of widow beneficiaries will cost the state exchequer about Rs 18.50 crore annually.
SGST reimbursement for the Kalai II HEP:
The Cabinet, meanwhile, approved grant of up to 50% SGST reimbursement for the Kalai II Hydro Electric Project (1200 MW) to enhance its financial viability.
The Kalai II HEP located on river Lohit in Anjaw District will be implemented by M/s THDCIL, a Central Public Sector Undertaking in Joint Venture with the State Government. The project entails a cumulative investment of close toRs. 14,000 crore and is expected to generate Rs. 318 crore of free power and Rs. 2.2 crore of Local Area Development Fund every year after commissioning. This project is a part of the 13 stalled large HEPs which were rejuvenated by the State Government through signing of MOAs with 4 CPSUs in the year 2023.
The Kalai II HEP is estimated to generate around 1,700 direct employment opportunities, with a significant portion of such opportunities reserved for eligible locals of Arunachal Pradesh. The project will also generate significant self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities through infrastructure development and ancillary services along with benefits to local communities through enhanced infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and educational facilities, fostering long-term socioeconomic growth. The project will upskill local workers, create a pool of skilled labour, and boost regional economic activity, contributing to Arunachal Pradesh’s development.
Other highlights of today’s Cabinet Meeting:
• The Cabinet approved for assigning Deputy Director, Rural Development, to implement RD and CSS schemes in the districts. This move results from the fact that the Govt of India has discontinued DRDA since 2022 making the post of Project Director defunct, who used to implement CSS schemes in the districts. The in-principle approval is to replace the post of PD with Deputy Director (RD). The Cabinet observed that for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, a district RD office headed by a deputy director is needed in all the districts. Further, the move will provide for career progression of RD cadre officers.
• The Cabinet also reviewed on the detail status and progress of Assam-Arunachal boundary matter.
