DW BUREAU / Shimla

The Himachal Pradesh government will allocate Rs 53.21 crore annually to the 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana' aimed at providing financial assistance to widows, destitute women, divorced women and disabled parents to support the education and well-being of their children. The Himachal Pradesh cabinet had on Sunday announced the launch of 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana'.

All eligible women, children and individuals with a family income not exceeding Rs 1 lakh per annum are covered under the scheme, a statement quoting Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said.

"The state will allocate Rs 53.21 crore annually to fund this initiative," the chief minister said. The scheme is aimed to support two specific age groups. For children under the age of 18, eligible women and disabled parents will get a monthly grant of Rs 1,000 to cover their educational, health and nutritional expenses.

Additionally, children who secure admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma or vocational courses will receive financial aid from the government to bear tuition and hostel costs.

The state government's initiative aims to prevent issues such as child abuse, trafficking, teenage marriages and drug abuse by strengthening child protection at the family level and also addresses the needs of children with disabled parents, recognising the strong link between disability, unemployment and poverty, Sukhu said. The chief minister said women who are widowed, deserted or abandoned often face arduous challenges in supporting their children, largely due to a lack of educational and financial resources. "These women are particularly vulnerable, lacking the moral and financial support they need to sustain them and ensure their children's education," he said.

"It is important to foster a supportive environment for vulnerable families, ensuring that children receive the education and care they need to lead dignified lives," he added.

From day one, the current state government has prioritised giving a voice to the underprivileged sections and has launched numerous initiatives to support them, he said.
(editor@dailyworld.in)