Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana transforming lives of orphan children with care and opportunity

· Free education for Children of the state; Government provides Rs. 28 Crore as pocket money

· Educational assistance to 453 youth and financial assistance to 19,479 children provided under Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana

Governance finds its true purpose when it reaches those who have remained unheard for decades. Guided by this belief Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has placed inclusive and compassionate governance at the centre of the state's development agenda. Under his visionary leadership, the state government is firmly committed to ensure that the benefits of growth reach each and every person in the society, particularly children and youth who have been deprived of parental care, social security and opportunity.

A defining reflection of this vision is the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana, the most special and path-breaking initiative of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Through this scheme, Himachal Pradesh has emerged as India’s first state to enact a dedicated law for orphans and vulnerable children, legally adopting them as "Children of the State". This historic step has transformed the role of the government from a welfare provider into a lawful guardian, ensuring dignity, security and rights-based protection.

Under this pioneering initiative, nearly 6,000 orphan children have been formally adopted by the state government as their guardian. The legal framework guarantees comprehensive care, including free education up to the age of 27, skill development, higher education, entrepreneurship support, housing assistance and exposure visits to places like Goa, Amritsar and Delhi with train, air travel along with five star lodging facilities. The government has converted welfare benefits into legal entitlements and has ensured that these children grow up with confidence, self-respect and equal opportunities to succeed.

Complementing this effort, the government has extended higher education academic assistance to 371 students, amounting to Rs. 1.53 crore, while 238 beneficiaries have received support for vocational training. Coaching assistance, skill development grants and professional training programmes have further equipped young beneficiaries to compete confidently in today’s employment landscape.

Beyond education, the state government has also adopted a holistic life-cycle approach to social security of the beneficiaries under Sukh-Ashray Yojana. Over the past three years, beneficiaries have been provided nearly Rs. 28 crore as pocket money. Clothing allowance for 2,635 children, festival grants for 3,268 beneficiaries, nutrition grant for 2,471 children and post-care assistance, including start-up aid, have been provided to the Children of the State for their smooth transitioning into independent adulthood. Marriage grants amounting to Rs. 5.16 crore have also been extended to 264 eligible young beneficiaries, strengthening their social and economic stability, while Post-Care Support has been extended to 136 youth, totalling Rs. 46.72 lakh.

Apart from this, to encourage entrepreneurship among vulnerable youth, the present state government under the micro and small industry start-up grant, has provided financial assistance of Rs. 65.36 lakh to 75 young beneficiaries. It has enabled them to establish enterprises and secure sustainable livelihoods.

Housing security has been another critical focus area. The government has also provided housing construction assistance to 423 beneficiaries and allotted land to eligible individuals to ensure long-term stability. Further strengthening this commitment, the Mukhyamantri Vidvah Evam Ekal Nari Aawas Yojana, launched by the present state government, ensures financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakh to economically weaker widows and single women for house construction. So far, Rs. 78 lakh has been released to 26 beneficiaries, restoring dignity and security to some of the most vulnerable sections of the society.

The government has also prioritized uninterrupted learning for children from vulnerable backgrounds. Under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, 19,479 children of widowed, destitute and specially-abled parents are presently receiving Rs. 1,000 per month to support their schooling. Additionally, 453 youth in the 18-27 age groups are pursuing higher education with full assistance from the State Government, ensuring that financial hardship does not become a barrier to academic ambition.

The Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana today stands as a hallmark of the present state government's humane and forward-looking approach. By legally adopting orphan children and institutionalizing care through legislation, Himachal Pradesh has set an example of compassionate governance. The initiative powerfully conveys the government’s resolve that no child will be left behind and no life will be defined by neglect or abandonment.