Sukh-Aashray Scheme Supports 257 Children in Shimla District

Shimla, October 11: The Himachal Pradesh government’s Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana is providing social security to 257 children and young people aged up to 27 years in Shimla district, helping them access housing, education, vocational training and financial assistance to build independent lives.

The impact of the scheme is reflected in the experiences of Ankit Kumar from Bashnog village in Theog and 24-year-old Abhishek Kumar from Runpu village in Rampur. Ankit, who lost his parents and was raised by his grandmother, received ₹3 lakh for house construction and ₹2 lakh as marriage assistance under the scheme.

Abhishek lost both parents during childhood and later completed his education up to Class 10 while living in a children’s home. He subsequently learned electrical work to become self-reliant. With assistance under the scheme, he has received ₹3 lakh to construct a new house at the site of his family’s dilapidated old home. He credited the scheme with giving him confidence in a more secure future.

District Programme Officer for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mamta Paul, said 237 children living in 12 child-care institutions in the district were also receiving social security, festival grants, summer and winter clothing, and nutritious food.

She said assistance had so far been provided to 30 Children of the State for housing, 12 for marriage, 19 for higher education, 11 for vocational education, eight for competitive examination coaching and eight for starting businesses.

Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the district administration was committed to ensuring that all eligible children and young people received the scheme’s benefits. Departments have been directed to identify eligible beneficiaries, simplify applications and ensure timely processing of cases, he added.

Samagra Sikhsha