Financial crunch?Sukh Ashraya funds struck for months in Pangi claims MLA Dr Janakraj
Shimla/Chamba, Jan 22,
A deepening financial squeeze in Himachal Pradesh has perhaps, begun to directly impact some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, with children under the Chief Minister’s flagship Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashraya Scheme reportedly going without their monthly assistance for months in the tribal Pangi region of Chamba district.
Raising the issue, BJP MLA from the area Dr Janakraj alleged that the Pangi treasury has failed to clear bills under the Sukh Ashraya Scheme for the past eight to nine months, leaving orphaned and destitute children without the promised financial support. Under the scheme, eligible children, including orphans, are entitled to a monthly honorarium of Rs 4,000 for education and basic needs.
According to the MLA, payments have been stalled due to Finance Department instructions restricting treasuries from clearing bills above Rs 10,000, a move he said has effectively paralysed welfare disbursements in remote areas.
To substantiate his claim, Dr Janakraj shared a WhatsApp message received from an orphan in the Pangi subdivision, who stated that he had not received the monthly assistance for the last eight to nine months, affecting his education.
“Main ek orphan hoon, pichhle 8–9 mahine se Rs 4,000 nahi mile, padhai mein problem aa rahi hai,” the message read.
The MLA said the complaint reflects the ground reality of how fiscal controls are hurting children who are entirely dependent on state support, particularly in far-flung tribal regions with limited alternatives.
Dr Janakraj further alleged that the government’s much-publicised governance reform narrative of “Vyavastha Parivartan” is faltering under financial stress, as treasuries are unable to clear even small welfare-related bills.
Backing this assertion, a treasury official reportedly stated that the state government has imposed an overall daily cap of Rs 4 crore per treasury, resulting in mounting payment backlogs across multiple departments.
Adding to the controversy, a contractor affected by the embargo accused the Finance Department of selective bill clearances, alleging that only those who manage to secure prior “tokens” through non-transparent means are able to get high-value bills passed—an allegation that has raises question mark about fairness and transparency in financial administration.
The opposition has demanded an immediate relaxation of treasury restrictions for welfare schemes, warning that continued delays could deprive children of their rightful assistance and defeat the core objective of the Sukh Ashraya Scheme.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
