In a significant initiative aimed at empowering women in remote and underdeveloped areas, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has instructed officials to ensure that women from the Kupvi region in Shimla district receive a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Bahna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana. The directive, issued during the Chief Minister’s recent visit to the area, marks a focused effort to address regional disparities in development and provide financial support to women.
This initiative will exclude women in government employment but will cover all other women in the region. Following the Chief Minister’s directive, officials at the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment in Shimla are currently working on examining the scheme’s regulations to make necessary adjustments. Although formal written communication from the Chief Minister’s Office is yet to be received, the department has started preparing a detailed proposal on how the scheme can be expanded to include women from specific regions like Kupvi.
The proposal will address existing provisions under the scheme and suggest mechanisms for extending monthly honorariums to women in geographically disadvantaged areas. Once finalized, it will be submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office for approval.
Kupvi is recognized as one of the most geographically challenging regions in the Shimla district, lagging in development compared to other parts of the state. Alongside Kupvi, other underdeveloped regions such as Chhota Bhangal and Banda Bhangal in Kangra district, Chuhar Valley in Mandi district, and Giripar and Shillai in Sirmaur district have also been identified for potential inclusion under similar initiatives.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that such measures are vital for bridging developmental gaps across the state. He has proposed a structure where women, excluding those in government jobs, will receive financial assistance to enhance their livelihood and socio-economic conditions. Similar provisions have already been extended to women in tribal areas such as Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Bharmour in Chamba district, where women are receiving a monthly honorarium of ₹1,500 under the same scheme.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable development across the state, particularly in regions facing geographical and infrastructural challenges. By expanding financial aid schemes like the Indira Gandhi Pyari Bahna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, the government aims to empower women and uplift underprivileged communities, ensuring their inclusion in the state’s progress.
