Himachal extends food subsidy scheme to Tibetans

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday announced to extend the state's food subsidy scheme to the Tibetans living in exile.

In his budget speech, Singh said: "There has been a persistent demand from the Tibetan community to provide subsidised ration to the inmates of Tibetan Children Villages (TCVs). I accede to their demand to include TCVs under the state food subsidy scheme."

Currently, the state is providing three types of pulses, two litre edible oil and one kg salt at subsidised rates to over 16 lakh ration card holders under the food subsidy scheme, which was started in 2007.

While presenting his 20th budget spread over his record six chief ministerial tenures in the state, he said a provision of Rs 220 crore has been made under the scheme in the next fiscal year.

More than 50 years ago, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India and established his government-in-exile in Dharamsala in the state. The government is not recognised by any other country.

A total of 27,542 exiled persons are in the state, mainly in and around Dharamsala.

--IANS

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