CM gives insurance cover of `2 L to ASHA workers, ANMs

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat announced insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh to more than 12000 ASHA workers and 2100 Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANM) of the State on Thursday. In sync with digital India  programme Tabs would also be distributed to ANMs of the State health services.

Addressing a programme organized at his residence to mark the day, the CM said that the role of Asha workers and ANMs is of utmost importance in care of mother and new born. He said that the pending payment of Rs 33 Crores to the Asha workers would soon be made. The CM said that in Uttarakhand women are holding posts of District Magistrates (DM) in three districts and SP/ SSP of four districts. Similarly in the state police force the percentage of women is 11 percent which is very appreciable considering the national average which is only 7 percent. Expressing concern over child sex ratio in the state, Rawat made an appeal to ensure that the sex ratio increases to 950 till the year 2020. In this regard he praised the efforts of Pithoragarh district where child sex ratio showed a marked improvement in last ten months.  He said that the society would be strengthened if women are empowered. Reiterating the commitment of his government for women empowerment, the CM said that the women self help groups are being provided training for self employment.

In another programme held at residence of CM later in the day, the CM flagged off E rickshaws driven by women. A total of seven women were provided E rickshaws on the occasion at a nominal interest rate of 1 percent. Congratulating the women E rickshaw drivers, the CM said that women will feel safe in these rickshaws. The Minister of state for women and child development Rekha Arya, the state BJP Chief Ajay Bhatt and Principal Secretary Radha Raturi were also present on the occasion.  The CM also launched the e-rickshaw Jan Kalyan scheme in Haldwani.