Context:

• The state government of Himachal Pradesh has launched the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana to ensure that children from weaker sections can access educational opportunities and necessary resources for a dignified life.

Key Points:

• The Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana is a significant initiative launched by the Himachal Pradesh government aimed at supporting the education and well-being of children from vulnerable families.
• Specifically targeting widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents, the scheme provides financial assistance to ensure that their children can access educational opportunities and necessary resources for a dignified life.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana include:

• Financial support: Providing monthly financial assistance to eligible families to cover educational, health, and nutritional expenses for children.
• Educational empowerment: Facilitating higher education for children through financial aid for tuition and hostel costs.
• Child protection: Preventing child exploitation, trafficking, and early marriages by fostering a supportive environment for vulnerable families.
• Inclusivity: Addressing the specific challenges faced by families with disabled parents, recognizing the correlation between disability and poverty.

Key features

1. Target beneficiaries:
   • The scheme primarily benefits children under the age of 18 from families of widowed or abandoned women and disabled parents.
   • It aims to cover approximately 23,000 children across the state.
      
2. Financial assistance:
   • Eligible beneficiaries receive a monthly grant of ?1,000 for each child under 18 years.
   • For those pursuing higher education (undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, or vocational courses), additional financial support is provided to cover tuition and hostel expenses.
      
3. Annual Budget:
   • The scheme has an allocated annual budget of ?53.21 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to enhancing educational access and support for vulnerable groups.