Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Himachal Pradesh Plans Welfare Payments, Free Electricity For Poor Families
The Himachal Pradesh government plans to provide money and electricity help to poorer residents.
On October 2, about 2.5 lakh women may receive Rs 1,500 each.
The money will go straight into eligible women’s bank accounts.
The assistance is part of the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme.
Officials are checking applications before finalizing the list.
About 1.80 lakh very poor families may also receive up to 300 units of free electricity.
This could reduce their monthly household bills.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is expected to highlight the two welfare programs.
Around 2.5 lakh eligible women in Himachal Pradesh are set to receive Rs 1,500 each on October 2.
The payments will be made directly to bank accounts under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme.
About 2.41 lakh applications have been received, with roughly 10,000 more expected during the ninth phase.
Nearly 1.80 lakh extremely poor families are being prepared to receive up to 300 units of free electricity.
The beneficiary list is expected to be notified at the SDM level on September 25 after verification ends.
- Who
- The Himachal Pradesh government, eligible women aged 21 to 60, and approximately 1.80 lakh extremely poor families.
- What
- The government plans Rs 1,500 payments for around 2.5 lakh women and up to 300 units of free electricity for poor families.
- When
- Both initiatives are planned for October 2; the beneficiary list is expected by September 25, with the ninth application phase scheduled for completion by September 20.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, with applications and household data collected through rural and panchayat-level processes.
- Why
- To provide direct financial assistance to eligible women and reduce domestic electricity costs for extremely poor households.
- Women beneficiaries
- Approximately 2.5 lakh women
- Women’s payment
- Rs 1,500 per eligible woman
- Payment scheme
- Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi
- Women’s eligibility
- Eligible women aged 21 to 60
- Electricity beneficiaries
- Nearly 1.80 lakh extremely poor families
- Free electricity benefit
- Up to 300 units
- Planned rollout
- October 2
- List notification
- Expected at the SDM level on September 25