Shimla MC to provide Rs 1,500 monthly aid to domestic helpers

In a significant step toward empowering women working as domestic helpers, the Municipal Corporation (MC) Shimla has announced a new welfare initiative to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women residing and working within the city’s municipal limits.

The scheme, inspired by the state government’s Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi, targets women aged between 21 and 59 who are not employed in government service, and whose family members also do not hold government jobs. Aimed at easing financial burdens and recognising the contributions of household workers, the initiative focuses on women engaged in domestic work for at least 100 days a year and who have daughters aged 21 or older.

Mayor Surinder Chauhan, while speaking about the initiative, emphasised the civic body’s commitment to women’s welfare. “We are working to ensure that women working tirelessly in homes across the city receive the support they deserve. Preparations are in full swing to implement this scheme effectively,” he said.

Recently, a key meeting was convened by the Mayor with the Joint Commissioner and officials of relevant departments to strategise the rollout. It was decided that MC officials will launch a door-to-door survey across all 34 municipal wards to identify eligible beneficiaries.

Joint Commissioner Bhuwan Sharma highlighted the implementation roadmap. “A comprehensive list of deserving women will be compiled through field visits. The data will then be submitted to the Department of Social Justice and Family Welfare for further action,” he said.

To ensure no deserving woman is left out, the MC will also run an awareness campaign alongside the survey. Families will be encouraged to recommend domestic workers who meet the criteria, ensuring community participation in the process.

This municipal initiative not only aligns with the state government’s broader social welfare goals but also reflects a focused effort to uplift a segment of the workforce often left unnoticed. Once operational, the scheme is expected to bring financial relief and social recognition to hundreds of women domestic workers in Shimla.

Himachal Tribune