HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches E-Kalyan portal of ESOMSA

Current Context: On April 28, 2025, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the E-Kalyan Portal under the Department for Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, and Specially Abled (ESOMSA) in Shimla.

Key Highlights:

Objective: Enable eligible applicants to apply online for benefits under various pension schemes.
Integration: Linked with Him Bhoomi, Him Parivar, Aadhaar, and PDS Ration Card databases for seamless verification.

Financial Impact:

₹1,410 crore spent on pension schemes in the last financial year, benefiting 8.24 lakh individuals.
37,000 new beneficiaries to be added in 2025, with an additional ₹67 crore allocation.

Question:

Q.1 The E-Kalyan Portal in Himachal Pradesh is aimed at providing benefits under which category of schemes?
a) Agricultural subsidies
b) Educational scholarships
c) Employment generation
d) Pension schemes

Answer: d) The primary objective of the portal is to allow eligible applicants to apply for various pension schemes online.