Himachal Pradesh Charts Course for ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’; Bold Reforms Strengthen Women and Child Welfare.
Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh Government has taken decisive and far-reaching steps over the past three years to usher in ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’—a systemic transformation focused on women’s empowerment, child welfare and inclusive development, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the State has made significant progress in improving key social indicators, particularly the child sex ratio, which has increased from 947 to 964 in the last three years. He described this improvement as a reflection of sustained government efforts to protect, nurture and value the girl child, adding that the achievement has laid a strong foundation for launching a new generation of transformative welfare initiatives.
Highlighting major policy interventions, the Chief Minister spoke about the Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojna, a landmark scheme aimed at securing the future of girls born into Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Under the scheme, a sum of Rs. 25,000 is deposited at the time of the girl’s birth, along with life insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh each for both parents. The insurance amount matures when the girl attains the age of 18, or at her option up to 27 years. He said the scheme further strengthens the existing Beti Hai Anmol Yojana and reinforces the State’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of the girl child.
To encourage women’s participation in the workforce, the government has also approved the construction of 13 new working women hostels across the state, including in Solan, Palampur, Baddi, Gagret and Nagrota Bagwan. Built at an estimated cost of Rs. 132 crore, these hostels will provide safe, secure and affordable accommodation, enabling women to pursue employment opportunities with confidence and independence.
In the education sector, the Chief Minister announced a major overhaul of early childhood learning through the transformation of all 18,925 Anganwadi Centres into ‘Anganwadi Sah’ Preschools. These centres will offer structured, play-based education for children aged three to six years. Anganwadi workers are being specially trained to deliver foundational learning, ensuring that children enter formal schooling with a strong educational base.
Speaking about the government’s flagship Sukh Aashray Yojna, the Chief Minister said the initiative has emerged as a milestone in providing holistic care to orphaned children and destitute women. Under the scheme, the State assumes full responsibility for their upbringing, education, skill development and livelihood support, ensuring dignity, security and long-term self-reliance.
“These forward-looking initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to inclusive growth and social justice. By prioritizing girls, women and children, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, self-reliant and equitable Himachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister said. “This is not merely governance—it is Vyavastha Parivartan, a transformation of systems that empowers every citizen, especially our women, to stand tall with dignity and independence.”
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the State Government would continue to pursue people-centric reforms to ensure that development reaches the most vulnerable sections of society and creates lasting social change.
