Himachal Pradesh clears Rs 1,500 aid for women in 4th year of power

The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday approved a monthly cash transfer of ₹1,500 to eligible women under the 'Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana', fulfilling one of the key Congress poll promises made ahead of the last Assembly polls.

Under the scheme, women aged between 18 and 59 years from families with an annual income below ₹2 lakh will receive ₹1,500 every month. Nearly one-and-a-half years ahead of the next Assembly polls, the Sukhvinder Sukhu-led government has rolled out the scheme.

The government, however, has not announced a detailed financial outlay. In the first phase, two lakh women across the state are expected to benefit.


The scheme comes amid severe fiscal stress in HP, which had earlier deferred salaries of elected representatives and senior officials for six months. The state's fiscal deficit is at 6.6% of GSDP this year, well above the recommended 3.5%.

The opposition BJP has criticised the government for announcing the scheme while the model code of conduct is in force for panchayat elections in the state. "The Congress government continues to indulge in unconstitutional actions. Despite the model code of conduct being in force, cabinet meetings are being held and grand sops are being announced. However, several earlier announcements still remain on paper." Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur told ET.