Himachal govt to soon start Rogi Mitra scheme for elderly

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Wednesday, announced that the state government would soon launch the Rogi Mitra Yojana to ensure regular health check-ups for senior citizens.
He was addressing a state-level function held at the historic Ridge in Shimla to mark International Day of Older Persons-2025.
The Chief Minister said that the state government was making sustained efforts to strengthen social security for the elderly. “At present, 6.71 lakh senior citizens in Himachal Pradesh are receiving monthly pensions ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,700, irrespective of income criteria. Men aged 60–69 years get Rs. 1,000 per month, women in the same age group receive Rs. 1,500, while those above 70 years are entitled to Rs. 1,700,” he added.
Under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojna, 2.37 lakh women in the State are being provided Rs. 1,500 per month. In addition, the government is extending financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakh for house construction to single and widowed women, he said.
Highlighting upcoming initiatives, he said a Sukh Aashray Parisar was being constructed at Jwalamukhi with an outlay of Rs. 100 crore to provide senior citizens with modern facilities in a homely environment. The new Rogi Mitra Yojana will further strengthen healthcare access for the elderly, he added.
The Chief Minister underlined that the present government had accorded top priority to social welfare. Himachal Pradesh, he said, was the first state in the country to grant orphan children the legal status of ‘Children of the State’. Such children are supported until the age of 27 with education, professional training, and a monthly pocket allowance of Rs. 4,000, and annual exposure visits sponsored by the government, he added.
He also spoke about reforms in education, noting that Himachal has risen from 21st to 5th place in national education rankings. To improve access in rural areas, 100 government schools will soon be converted into CBSE-affiliated institutions. Sukhu said these reforms would bring visible improvements in the education system within the next two to three years.
On health infrastructure, the Chief Minister said medical colleges were being equipped with world-class equipment worth Rs. 300 crore, replacing outdated machines. Robotic surgeries have already begun at Chamiana and Tanda Medical Colleges at a nominal cost of Rs. 30,000, compared to nearly Rs. 2 lakh in private hospitals.
Sukhu reiterated that despite pressure from the Center to adopt the New Pension Scheme, the state government restored the Old Pension Scheme in the interest of employees, prioritizing welfare over political considerations
Earlier, he flagged off a Cycling Rally and Walkathon and visited exhibition stalls put up by women’s self-help groups. The program also featured a ramp walk by senior citizens aged 60 to 82, along with colorful cultural performances.

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