Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that the Himachal Pradesh government has taken decisive and people-centric steps over the past three years to usher in what he describes as “Vyavastha Parivartan” — a systemic transformation aimed at women’s empowerment, self-reliance and inclusive development.
Addressing the impact of these initiatives, the Chief Minister pointed out that the state has recorded a notable improvement in its child sex ratio, which has increased from 947 to 964 in nearly three years. He termed this progress a reflection of sustained and focused government efforts to protect, value and empower the girl child, adding that it has laid a strong foundation for further transformative policies.
Highlighting key welfare measures, Sukhu spoke about the Indira Gandhi Sukh Suraksha Yojna, a flagship initiative designed to provide long-term financial security to girls born in Below Poverty Line families. Under the scheme, an amount of ₹25,000 is deposited at the time of a girl’s birth, along with life insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh each for both parents. The insured amount matures when the girl attains the age of 18 or, if she chooses, up to the age of 27. The Chief Minister said the scheme significantly strengthens the existing Beti Hai Anmol Yojana and reinforces the government’s commitment to safeguarding the future of the girl child.
To support working women and enhance their participation in the workforce, the state government has also approved the construction of 13 new working women hostels across various districts, including Solan, Palampur, Baddi, Gagret and Nagrota Bagwan. These hostels, to be built at an estimated cost of ₹132 crore, will offer safe, affordable and dignified accommodation, enabling women to pursue employment opportunities with confidence.
In the education and child development sector, Sukhu announced a major revamp of early childhood education. All 18,925 Anganwadi centres across Himachal Pradesh are being upgraded into ‘Anganwadi Sah’ preschools, where children between the ages of three and six will receive play-based, foundational learning. Anganwadi workers are being specially trained to deliver early education, ensuring that children enter formal schooling with a strong academic and cognitive base.
The Chief Minister also underlined the significance of the government’s Sukh Aashray Yojna, calling it a landmark intervention for orphaned children and destitute women. Under this initiative, the state has assumed full responsibility for their care, education and livelihood, ensuring social security and dignity for the most vulnerable sections of society. He said the scheme reflects the government’s resolve that no child or woman should be left behind on the path to self-reliance.
“These initiatives are not isolated welfare measures, but part of a larger vision for inclusive and equitable growth,” Sukhu said. “By focusing on women, girls and children, we are building a stronger and more self-reliant Himachal Pradesh. This is governance with compassion and purpose — a true vyavastha parivartan that empowers citizens to live with dignity and independence.”
Since assuming office, the Chief Minister has consistently maintained that his government is committed to the upliftment of every section of society. The latest initiatives, he said, reaffirm that promise and signal a shift towards a governance model rooted in social justice, opportunity and long-term human development.
