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Social welfare ministry renamed, undertakes massive upliftment project

Gujarat Social Welfare Minister Fakirbhai Vaghela today announced the renaming of his portfolio as the department of social justice and empowerment, and said a massive package has been prepared to uplift the downtrodden in the state during the current financial year.

Making the announcement in the Vidhan Sabha, he said 15,000 girl students of secondary schools, belonging to Scheduled Castes, will be provided free bicycles at a cost of Rs 22.5 million while loans worth Rs 46.1 million, provided to more than 25,000 beneficiaries up to the limit of Rs 10,000 each, from the Scheduled Caste Financial Development Corporation, would be waived.

He said in order to promote inter-caste marriage and social harmony, the state government would provide financial assistance of Rs 30,000, instead of Rs 15,000 earlier. Patients suffering from different diseases and pregnant women will now get enhanced financial assistance.

UNI

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