Himachal Pradesh Government is making sincere efforts to extend a helping hand to the poorest of poor and all the needy persons in the State. All such persons are being covered under the umbrella of various welfare schemes being implemented by the Government through various departments.Apart from these schemes, Chief Minister's Relief Fund has proved a ray of hope to the under-privileged who run pillar to post for help during emergent situations. Financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is granted at the discretion of Chief Minister for humanitarian purposes. During last three years, an amount of Rs 36,63,92,315 had been provided to 18,273 deserving persons for medical treatment and meeting out expenses during emergencies. 5495 needy persons were given Rs 13,39,99,892, 5840 persons were provided financial assistance of Rs 11,35,44,986 and 6938 persons were benefitted with Rs 11,88,47,437 through this fund during financial years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively. A sum of Rs 38,40,50,485 was received as donation to the fund during last three years from individuals, corporate bodies and organizations for humane causes.State Government has time and again requested citizens, companies and organizations to liberally donate towards this Fund as it is disbursed to provide succor to distressed persons especially when there is no other source of assistance. Being responsible citizens, we all should motivate people to donate towards this fund which receives only voluntary contributions.
Contributions towards the Fund can be made to the ' Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Himachal Pradesh' Shimla – 171002 through cheque, bank draft, cash or by electronic transfer to H P State Cooperative Bank A/c No 4060100315 (IFSC Code YESB0HPB06). Contributions made to this fund are fully exempted from Income Tax under section 80-G of Income Tax Act and for exemption its PAN No. is AABTC5563B.This fund is also granted to poor but brilliant students pursuing technical or professional studies. In cases where the students belong to Schedule Caste, the Chief Minister may consider the request for grant of relief sympathetically without insisting on their being brilliant in studies. Relief to widows having no source of income for the maintenance of their children, rewards to poets and scholars who claim to have rendered valuable services to the nation on merit basis. Grant of relief in exceptional cases for certain categories such as losses sustained due to natural calamities, premature death of the earning members of the families, medical treatment in certain serious cases and any other case where the Chief Minister is personally satisfied with regard to the genuineness of the demand.A small gesture of compassion can make a big difference to precious lives and this sensitivity is needed in all of us so that we contribute towards the society we live in and help each other in times of need. Chief Minister's Relief Fund helps us in this objective of helping poor and needy persons in the hour of distress.