DW BUREAU / shimla The state government has implemented various new welfare schemes with a view to uplift every section of the society. Focused on the elderly, youth and women these schemes not only strengthen their socio-economic status but also bring positive change in their lives. HIMCARE, Mukhya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana (MMGSY), Mukhya Mantri Sahara Yojana and Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojana (MMSY) are proving beneficial for the people of the state. For the free treatment of the people, 4 lakh 31 thousand families of the state are registered under Ayushman Bharat, a comprehensive health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India. So far, 1 lakh 45 thousand patients have been given free treatment under the scheme, on which Rs 178 crore has been spent.The state government with the vision to increase the ambit of health care in the state has started HIMCARE yojana so that even those people of the state who could not join the Ayushman Bharat scheme could be benefitted. Under this scheme 6 lakh 18 thousand families are registered in Himachal. So far 3 lakh 8 thousand patients have been given free treatment under HIMCARE and 285 crore have been spent on this. The double engine government has spent about Rs. 463 crore on free treatment of 4.5 lakh people through these two schemes. The state government has implemented Mukhya Mantri Sahara Yojana, first scheme of its kind in the entire country which intends to help the needy who have become dependent on others due to serious illness. At present by spending an amount of about Rs. 80 crore, 20 thousand needy people in Himachal are being provided 3 thousand rupees every month. Himachal government is determined for women empowerment. Taking care of the health of women and to keep them safe from diseases caused by smoke of traditional wood fired stoves like asthma and eye diseases, etc., and providing them with environment friendly alternative the central government has started Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, through which free domestic gas connections were distributed to women. Under this scheme, 1 lakh 37 thousand gas connections were distributed in Himachal, on which Rs 28.15 crore has been spent. While universalizing this scheme of the central government, the state government implemented the Mukhya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana to provide free domestic gas connections to the poor families who could not get the benefit of Ujjwala scheme. Under the scheme, 3 lakh 32 thousand domestic gas connections were distributed, on which Rs. 130 crore has been spent. Presently Himachal has become the first state in the country where every household has a domestic gas connection. The government of double engine has provided free gas connection from door to door by spending more than Rs. 159 crore in this. In this way Himachal is also the first stove smoke free state of the country.The main objective of Mukhya Mantri Swavalamban Yojana is to promote self-employment in the state. Through this scheme, unemployed youth of the state are getting encouraged to set up self-employment and are becoming self-reliant and self-reliant. Through this scheme, the state government is providing 25 to 35 percent subsidy to eligible youth on investment of up to one crore rupees. (editor@dailyworld.in)