The Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya (Care, Protection, and Self-Reliance of Children of the State) Act, 2023, has been passed in the state of Himachal Pradesh to provide care, protection, and self-reliance to orphans, persons with special needs, and children in need of care and protection. The Act defines these children as “children of the state” and aims to provide them with financial and institutional benefits between the ages of 18-27 years.
Who are the beneficiaries of the Act?
The Act defines orphans as those who are currently without biological parents or whose parents have been medically proven to be incapacitated of taking care. Children who have been relinquished by their guardians or parents for social, emotional, and physical factors are also covered under the Act. In addition, children in need of care and protection such as those found without a home or working in contravention of labor laws are also included.
Children forced to beg or whose guardians have threatened, abused, or intended physical and emotional harm will also be taken care of by the state government. Children at risk of marriage before the legal age, impacted by a crime, or vulnerable to drug abuse will also be covered under the Act.
What are the benefits provided under the Act?
The state government will provide financial and institutional benefits to the beneficiaries to ensure their care, protection, and self-reliance. The following benefits will be provided:
- Clothes: Beneficiaries will receive Rs 5,000 in summer and a similar amount in winter to buy clothes.
- Festivals: A sum of Rs 500 will be given to the children to celebrate major festivals.
- Daily allowance: On attaining the age of majority, the government will provide a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000 for daily expenses in college.
- Hostel fees: In institutions like ITI and other government colleges, the hostel fees of the beneficiaries will also be taken care of.
- Start-up incentive: Orphans who wish to establish their own start-ups will be given a token corpus to incentivize entrepreneurial pursuits.
- Ph.D. allowance: The allowance will be given to Ph.D. students.
- Marriage allowance: A fixed amount of money will also be given at the time of marriage.
How will the Act benefit the beneficiaries?
The Act aims to provide vocational training, skill development, and coaching to the beneficiaries to help them become active members of the mainstream of society. The financial benefits provided under the Act will help the beneficiaries to meet their daily expenses, pursue higher education, and establish their own start-ups. The Act will also ensure that the beneficiaries receive adequate care and protection and are not subject to abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
Why In News
The Himachal Pradesh government has recently passed the Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya (Care, Protection, and Self-Reliance of Children of the State) Act, 2023, aimed at providing care, protection, and support to vulnerable children and adults in the state. This landmark legislation ensures that orphans, persons with special needs, and children in need of care and protection receive financial and institutional benefits, vocational training, and skill development opportunities to become self-reliant and active members of society.
MCQs about Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya Act 2023
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What is the Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya Act?
A. An act for the care and protection of children with disabilities.
B. An act providing financial benefits to orphans and children in need.
C. An act providing housing for homeless children.
D. An act providing free education to children of the state.
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Who are considered beneficiaries under the Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya Act?
A. Orphans and children in need of care and protection.
B. Children of government officials.
C. Children of high-income families.
D. Children of foreign nationals.
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What benefits are provided under the Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya Act?
A. Monthly allowance for daily expenses in college and hostel fees.
B. Free healthcare for life.
C. Free transportation services.
D. Free food and lodging.
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Who qualifies for financial and institutional benefits under the Himachal Pradesh Sukhashraya Act?
A. Children who are currently without biological parents or whose parents have been medically proven to be incapacitated of taking care.
B. Children of high-income families.
C. Children who own property.
D. Children who have received a college education.
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