The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to extend the scope of the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana’ up to the age of 27 for the children of widows and single women. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed that a monthly pocket money of ₹1,000 be provided to children aged 19 to 27; previously, this assistance was available only up to the age of 18. This decision was taken during the first meeting held on Monday at the Chief Minister’s new office in Shimla.
During a review meeting with the Department of Women and Child Development, the Chief Minister instructed officials to develop an integrated portal for all welfare schemes to ensure benefits reach eligible individuals. The objective is to spare eligible beneficiaries the hassle of running from pillar to post for different schemes and to simplify the process of availing benefits.
**Mukhyamantri Sukhi Parivar Yojana**
In a presentation by the Department of Women and Child Development, details regarding 2.47 lakh beneficiaries under the ‘Mukhyamantri Sukhi Parivar Yojana’ were shared. The scheme for these families will launch on October 2nd; under the ‘Indira Pyari Beena Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana,’ eligible women will receive ₹1,500 and 300 units of free electricity.
**21,292 Beneficiaries of Sukh Shiksha Yojana**
Currently, there are 21,292 beneficiaries of the ‘Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana.’ A budget of ₹40.29 crore has been allocated for the scheme in the current financial year. Under this scheme, the government bears the entire cost of higher education for the children of widows and single women. Meritorious students will be provided loans of up to ₹20 lakh at an interest rate of one percent for higher education under the ‘Dr. Y.S. Parmar Vidyarthi Rin Yojana.’ Principal Secretary M. Sudha Devi, Secretary C.P. Verma, Director of Women and Child Development Dr. Pankaj Lalit, Director of ISOMSA Sumit Khimta, and other senior officials were present at the meeting. **Preparations for Overseas Trips for 100 Children**
The government is now preparing to provide beneficiaries of the *Sukh Shiksha Yojana* and ‘Children of the State’ with exposure to experiences beyond the state and across the globe. The Chief Minister has directed that 50 meritorious students from each of these two categories—totaling 100 children—be sent on overseas exposure visits.
**Nutritious Diet Scheme for 11 Districts**
A review of the *Indira Gandhi Matru Shishu Sankalp Yojana* was also conducted; under this scheme, plans have been formulated to provide nutritious food across 11 districts of the state.
**’Sukh-Ashray Gram’ in Luthan by May 2027**
Priority was also accorded during the meeting to the construction of the *Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Gram* complex in Luthan, Kangra district. The Chief Minister instructed officials to accelerate the construction work and complete the project by May 2027.
