Khandu starts 3rd innings as Arunachal CM, signs first file to approve Rs 100 crore for 80,000 beneficiaries

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 13, 2024

After being sworn in as chief minister for the third consecutive term, Pema Khandu signed the first file on Thursday approving the release of the fund to the tune of Rs 100 crore under the Chief Minister’s Social Security Scheme (CMSSS) benefitting about 80,000 beneficiaries across the state.

Guided by the principles of Antyodaya, the state government is dedicated to the most vulnerable and marginalized section of society.

CMSSS, a state flagship scheme, provides pensions to old-age persons above 60 years, widows and divyang jan. The funds approved will help enhance the quality of life and provide a dignified way of living for these sections of society. This is also a testament to the compassionate and citizen-centric governance model of the State Government.

Signing the file, Khandu said that a scheme that benefits the vulnerable sections of the society should be continued without hindrance.

“Because the preparation of state budget has been delayed due to the general elections, the benefits under CMSSS must reach the needy beneficiaries at the earliest,” he pointed out.

During the last financial year, an amount of Rs 90 crore was allocated for the scheme benefiting 56,030 old-age persons (above 60 years), 8,782 widows and 3,950 divyang jan (differently abled).

The Khandu government launched the scheme in 2019 and money is deposited to the beneficiary’s account through the DBT route.

Earlier, Khandu was administered the oath of office and secrecy as the chief minister for the third term at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Hall in the state’s capital Itanagar.

Khandu was elected from Mukto legislative assembly constituency in the border district of Tawang.

Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik administered the oath-taking ceremony in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang.

Chowna Mein was sworn in as the deputy chief minister of the state for the second term.

Khandu’s new cabinet has eight fresh faces, including Dasanglu Pul, the lone woman minister.

Other ministers of the 11-member cabinet are: Ojing Tasing, Kento Jini, Balo Raja, Mama Natung, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Wangki Lowang, Nyato Dukam and Biyuram Wahge.

Three sitting cabinet ministers were denied cabinet berth this time. They are: Honchun Ngandam, Alo Libang and Nakap Nalo, who held rural works, health and family eelfare and tourism portfolios respectively, in the previous government.

In the 60-member Arunachal Assembly, the BJP returned to power in the state for the third time in a row, winning 46 seats.