Himachal sanctioned Rs.2 crore for treatment of poor

Poor and needy patients in Himachal Pradesh have received a total of around Rs.2 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for treatment during the past 11 months, an official said here Sunday.

The state government has requested corporate and industrial houses to contribute generously towards the relief fund.

Since January 2013, more than 190 patients were provided financial assistance totalling Rs.1.85 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for treatment at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Shimla and other hospitals, a government spokesperson said.

Among those who have praised the government assistance is Bimla Devi of Ganebali village in Banjar area of Kullu district.

She was suffering from a heart disease and had approached the government for financial assistance.

A sum of Rs.1.75 lakh was released from the relief fund for her surgery.

Similar is the story of Som Nath of Harol village in Jwalamukhi area of Kangra district.

He was suffering from Hepatitis-C. The government provided a financial help of Rs.2 lakh for his treatment.

Likewise, Barkat Ali of Bagheri area in Mandi district got Rs.2 lakh from the relief fund for his hip replacement surgery.

There are hundreds of other beneficiaries who received help from the relief fund.

Cement major Gujarat Ambuja Cement Ltd., pharma company Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank, and hydropower major Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. are among the major corporate contributors to the relief fund.