Orphans, Persons with Disabilities, and Patients with Serious Illnesses to Be Included in BPL List: Government

Shimla, August 20 — The Himachal Pradesh government has taken a major decision to expand the scope of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list by including new categories of beneficiaries. Now, those covered under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme will also be added to the BPL list. In addition, patients suffering from serious diseases such as cancer and AIDS, orphans up to the age of 27, and persons with up to 40% disabilities will also be included.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh shared this information in the Assembly on Tuesday while responding to a calling attention motion under Rule 62, moved by MLA Keval Singh Pathania. The minister said that BPL selection had not been carried out for a long time, leading to public dissatisfaction and complaints. “The government has now initiated the selection process. If anyone has suggestions, they may submit them within a day or two, and relevant points will be considered,” he added.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clarified in the House that families with an annual income below ₹50,000 will be included in the BPL list. “This will cover orphans, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of both schemes. Our aim is to ensure that poor and needy families get access to social security and welfare benefits,” the CM said.

MLA Keval Singh Pathania, who moved the motion, urged the government to also consider families whose property has been completely destroyed by natural disasters. He further suggested that people who may have multiple electricity meters registered in their name but are in reality poor and deserving of assistance should also be considered for inclusion in the BPL list.