Munish Sood
Mandi: In a major step towards social welfare, the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government has announced a series of progressive initiatives in its new budget.
The highlight of these reforms is the substantial increase in financial assistance for inter-caste marriages, rising from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh.
The announcement was made by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presenting the annual budget for the 2025-26 financial year in the Vidhan Sabha in Shimla on Monday (March 17, 2025).
Empowering BPL families and women
Focusing on the upliftment of families from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government has introduced the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, aimed at supporting two daughters born in BPL families.
An insurance cover of ₹25,000 will be provided at the birth of a daughter, ensuring financial security from the very beginning.
Under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, financial assistance will be provided to women in a phased manner between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Moreover, every girl turning 21 between January and March 2025 will receive ₹1,500 as a financial aid.
Social security and pension reforms
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the budget had made provisions for the inclusion of 37,000 new beneficiaries under the social security pension scheme, with an outlay of ₹67 crore.
Also, individuals with 40% or more disability will now be eligible for pension, further strengthening social support for vulnerable sections.
Education and nutrition initiatives for children
To enhance early childhood education, 18,925 anganwadi centres will be relocated to nearby schools and rebranded as Anganwadi-cum-Pre-Nursery Schools, focusing on the care and education of children aged 3-6.
Additionally, the government will enhance the quality of nutrition provided in these centers, with district-level authorities being granted purchasing power for nutritious meals.
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