Himachal Pradesh Assembly passes bill to take care of orphans' education

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Thursday passed a Bill to provide shelter, education and Rs 4,000 as pocket money to orphaned children, calling them children of the state.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the proposed legislation would make Himachal Pradesh the first state to have such legislation, but the opposition BJP claimed that its provision already exist in central schemes.

The Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya (Care, Protection and Self Reliance of Children of the State) Bill 2023 aims at taking care of destitute children and orphans.

The bill defines destitute children and orphans as children of the state and provides for securing education, skill training and future of these children. Besides providing shelter and care, the orphaned children will get 'pocket money' of Rs 4,000 per month, thus benefitting 6,000 children.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to pass such a legislation and full budget provisi