Shimla, August 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday directed officials to remove the caste column from school admission forms from the next academic session, describing the move as a step towards eliminating caste-based discrimination and promoting equality among children.
Sukhu issued the direction while chairing a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Caste Welfare Board (HPSCWB) in Shimla.
The Chief Minister said the decision was aimed at ensuring that children do not develop any sense of inferiority on the basis of caste. He clarified, however, that members of Scheduled Castes would continue to provide caste details while applying for government schemes and benefits so that they can access the provisions available to them without difficulty.
Sukhu said his government was giving priority to addressing issues faced by Scheduled Caste communities and had introduced several welfare initiatives for their benefit. He directed officials to ensure that eligible beneficiaries were made aware of these schemes so they could avail themselves of the assistance.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Swarozgar Saur Yojana, under which subsidies are being provided for setting up projects ranging from 100 KW to 2 MW. The subsidy is 5 per cent for projects in tribal areas and 4 per cent in other areas.
He further said the state government was providing loans of up to Rs 20 lakh to meritorious students pursuing higher education at an interest rate of one per cent. The initiative, he said, was intended to ensure that financial difficulties do not force students to discontinue their studies.
Sukhu also announced that the government would implement the Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana for extremely poor families. Under the scheme, eligible households will receive 300 units of free electricity, while women belonging to these families will be provided a monthly pension of Rs 1,500.
The government said the measures were part of its broader focus on social equality, welfare and improving access to opportunities for disadvantaged sections.
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