HAMIRPUR, India — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a package of welfare, employment, education and development measures during the state-level Independence Day celebrations in Barsar, Hamirpur. The announcements include the launch of the Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar and Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana from October 2.
- Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar will target 1.80 lakh identified families over the next two years.
- Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana will begin as a pilot in 21 ICDS blocks from October 2.
- The government announced payments for employees and pensioners, along with higher incentives for ASHA workers.
- Four thousand posts will be filled in the Jal Shakti Vibhag, while 100 new CBSE schools will open from the next academic session.
Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar to support 1.80 lakh families
Under the Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar scheme, the Himachal Pradesh government plans to work on improving the economic condition of 1.80 lakh identified families over the next two years.
According to the release, these families were identified through an eight-phase survey. Sukhu directed Deputy Commissioners to assess the requirements of individual families so that existing government welfare programmes can be better targeted towards their needs.
Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana to focus on nutrition
The Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana will initially be introduced on a pilot basis in 21 ICDS blocks across Himachal Pradesh from October 2. The programme is designed to strengthen nutritional support for mothers, women and children.
The government plans to improve the existing nutritional support by providing more nutritious premix food in hygienic packaging. Beneficiaries will also receive milk or eggs three times a week according to their preference.
The scheme will additionally focus on improving hot-cooked meals provided to children between three and six years of age.
Payments announced for employees and pensioners
Sukhu announced an additional payment of Rs 20,000 towards salary arrears for Class-IV employees, with the payment scheduled to be made within August.
For pensioners and family pensioners who retired between 2016 and 2021, the government announced different proportions of arrears. Class-III pensioners and family pensioners will receive 35 per cent of their pension and family pension arrears, while Class-I and Class-II pensioners and family pensioners will receive 15 per cent.
The Chief Minister said the state government would spend Rs 281 crore on these payments.
CBSE schools, healthcare and government recruitment
The Chief Minister announced that 100 new CBSE schools would be opened across the state from the next academic session. He also said students from government schools had been sent abroad for educational exposure visits, while 200 teachers had travelled overseas to study global best practices.
Doctors scheduled to retire between August 2026 and March 31, 2027, will continue in service and retire on March 31, 2027, according to the announcement.
In the health sector, Sukhu said robotic surgery facilities had been introduced at all medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh and at AIMSS Chamiyana Hospital. The government facility is expected to cost between Rs 30,000 and Rs 80,000, compared with more than Rs 5 lakh at private hospitals, according to his statement.
ASHA workers and NHM employees to get revised payments
The monthly incentive for around 9,000 ASHA workers under NHM Himachal Pradesh will increase from Rs 5,800 to Rs 6,800.
Sukhu also announced revised pay for NHM employees who have completed seven years of service after pay rationalisation, with the revision effective from April 1, 2026.
From September 1, 2026, outsourced Staff Nurses, Pharmacists, Operation Theatre Assistants and Laboratory Technicians under NHM Himachal Pradesh will receive revised monthly remuneration of Rs 25,000. Data Entry Operators will receive Rs 18,000.
4,000 Jal Shakti posts and milk infrastructure investment
The government will fill 4,000 posts across various categories in the Jal Shakti Vibhag. Sukhu also highlighted plans to strengthen the rural economy through investment in milk processing infrastructure.
The state plans to spend Rs 150 crore over the next two years on milk processing infrastructure in Solan, Una, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Hamirpur districts.
A milk processing plant with a capacity of 1.5 lakh litres per day is being established at Daghwar in Kangra district. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 250 crore and is expected to be completed this year.
Horticulture policy and youth employment focus
Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh was set to become the first state in the country to introduce a dedicated Horticulture Policy. According to the Chief Minister, the policy is expected to generate employment opportunities for around 82,200 people.
He said transparent and merit-based employment opportunities for young people remained a priority for his government. Sukhu also alleged that the previous BJP government had faced a police recruitment paper leak and irregularities in Staff Selection Commission recruitments.
Anti-drug campaign and sports initiatives
The second phase of the Chitta-Mukt Himachal Abhiyan will be launched from Una on September 7, Sukhu announced. The government will also introduce the Khelo Himachal, Chitta-Mukt Abhiyan to encourage young people to participate in sports and pursue healthier lifestyles.
Water security and religious tourism projects
The state is implementing a Rs 2,000-crore comprehensive scheme aimed at ensuring clean drinking water across all Assembly constituencies. The government is also working to strengthen existing water infrastructure and promote groundwater recharge.
Sukhu also highlighted initiatives aimed at expanding religious tourism. These include the dedication of the Mata Baglamukhi Ropeway in Mandi district and proposed ropeway projects at Chintpurni Temple and Baba Balak Nath Temple.
Himachal’s financial interests highlighted
The Chief Minister said the government was taking steps towards making Himachal Pradesh financially self-reliant. He highlighted the state’s claims concerning the Bhakra project, Shanan, Bairasul, water cess and Chandigarh, saying these matters were being pursued before the Centre and courts.
Sukhu reiterated that the government had restored the Old Pension Scheme for NPS employees. He also said the concerns of Multi-Task Workers and outsourced employees were being examined, with the government considering a policy to provide them appropriate benefits.
What happens next?
The announcements made on Independence Day cover welfare support, nutrition, employment, healthcare, education, agriculture-linked infrastructure and water security. The first major implementation milestones include the October 2 launch of the two welfare schemes and the September 7 start of the second phase of the anti-drug campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar scheme start?
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced that the Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar scheme will be launched from October 2 and will focus on improving the economic condition of 1.80 lakh identified families over two years.
What is the Indira Gandhi Matri Shishu Sankalp Yojana?
It is a nutrition-focused scheme that will initially be launched on a pilot basis in 21 ICDS blocks. It aims to strengthen nutritional support for mothers, women and children through improved food and additional milk or egg provisions.
