Explained: Himachal Govt’s ‘Sukhashraya’ For Orphans, People With Special Needs

“Orphans will be the ‘children of the state’, Sukhashray is an attempt towards happiness, Sukhashraya bill has passed in the house”, wrote Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Twitter as hailed the newly passed bill.

Notably, Sukhashraya is an attempt of the HP government to provide financial as well as educational shelter to orphans and people with special. 

On Thursday, the state legislative assembly passed the Sukhashraya bill that was introduced in the house a day before by social justice and empowerment minister Dhani Ram Shandil. The minister addressed the children as the future of the nation. 

Sukhashraya (Care, Protection, and Self-Reliance of Children of the State) Act, 2023 underlined the definition of orphans, as children whose parents are incompetent to look after them and whose biological parents are no more alive. The act also covered those children who are left by their guardians. 

According to the provisions of the act, the children will be given skill development and vocational training for their upliftment. Children will be provided Rs 5,000 every summer and winter to buy clothes while Rs 500 will be given to them to celebrate every festival. 

Once the children will turn into adults, the government will give them Rs 4,000 monthly allowance for their daily routine while orphan adults who move ahead as entrepreneurs will be provided proper assistance from the government side. 

For orphan children, the government will sponsor train tickets and accommodation for their 10 days vacation in a 3-star hotel. The government has also arranged Mukhya Mantri Sukhashraya Sahayata Kosh (fund) of Rs 101 crore to which all MLAs have contributed Rs 1 lakh.

The Chief Minister also assured that beneficiaries will be granted three biswas of land for the construction of their homes. 

In ensuring effective implementation of all the provisions of the Sukhashraya (Care, Protection and Self-Reliance of Children of the State) Act, 2023, a child welfare committee will be established in each district which will look into the demands of children in need.

The act is being applauded all across the country as Himachal Pradesh is going to one of the states that took a step forward for the welfare of orphan children. 

As per one of the National Crime Bureau Record (NCRB) data, Himachal Pradesh is the state that registered 101 to 1000 crime cases against children which is the lowest among other states. 

In this regard, the state creates an idealistic status for other states to value the children who are the future of the nation.