Himachal approves ₹1,500 monthly financial assistance for women

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu participating in a walkathon at Paddal Ground in Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh, on November 13, 2026.

The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday (November 13, 2026) approved the launch of the “Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna,” under which eligible women aged 18 to 59 will receive ₹1,500 per month in financial assistance.

The decision was taken in the meeting of State Cabinet held in Shimla. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. “It has been decided to launch the ‘Mukhya Mantri Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojna’ in the State, under which eligible women in the age group of 18 to 59 years will receive financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month,” said an official statement.

Under the scheme, eligible beneficiary families will also receive 300 units of free electricity, said the statement, adding “In all, 3.5 lakh eligible women have been identified as beneficiaries. The government had earlier raised the monthly assistance for women above 59 years from ₹1,050 to ₹1,500.”

Providing financial assistance of ₹1,500 monthly to women between 18 to 60 years of age and giving free electricity upto 300 units monthly to households were among the key pre-poll promises made by the Congress party during the 2022 Assembly election.

The Cabinet also decided to adopt a uniform State policy for determining and periodically revising the rates for the sale of surplus raw water to neighbouring States, government agencies and industries.

“Under the policy, an initial benchmark rate of ₹100 per 1,000 cubic feet will be applicable to all existing and future projects of the State, including inter-State water projects. The rates will be revised periodically in accordance with the prescribed mechanism linked to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI),” the statement added.

It was also decided to launch the ‘Khelo Himachal Chitta Mukt Abhiyan-2026’ across all twelve districts of the State. The initiative aims to engage youth in sports activities and strengthen efforts towards drug prevention by promoting a healthy lifestyle, discipline and positive community participation.

Meanwhile, in Mandi, the Chief Minister led the anti ‘chitta’ (heroin) awareness walkathon, urging the people to participate in the fight against drug abuse and help make the State drug-free.

Addressing a public gathering, he said “I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place in Himachal Pradesh for those who sell ‘chitta’ and destroy the lives of our youth for money. The government had adopted a firm policy against those involved in the illegal drug trade and that strict legal action was being taken against drug peddlers and traffickers.”