Una, November 10:- The Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana, launched with the compassionate vision of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has become a strong foundation for Sanjay's journey towards self-reliance. With the financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh received under the scheme, 27-year-old Sanjay Bharwal, a resident of Chururu in Amb subdivision of Una district, started a car washing service station. By investing the savings generated from his business, he subsequently expanded into auto electrical work as well. Today, he earns between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 25,000 every month from both ventures. He has also employed another young man, whom he is training in the trade.
Sanjay lost his father when he was just four years old. His father worked as a driver. After his father's demise, his mother took responsibility for the family. Along with working at an Anganwadi centre, she also did daily-wage labour to support the family. Despite difficult circumstances, she raised Sanjay and his sister. Sanjay studied up to Class 10, while his sister completed her bachelor's degree. Later, his mother suffered a paralytic attack and had to give up working. After remaining bedridden for nearly three years, she passed away in 2023. Before her demise, she had arranged her daughter's marriage. Following her mother's death, Sanjay's sister and brother-in-law took responsibility for him.
Although his sister and brother-in-law extended their full support, Sanjay wanted to stand on his own feet and avoid placing any additional financial burden on them. He aspired to establish his own business and become self-reliant. During this period, a woman who had earlier worked with his mother at the Anganwadi centre informed him about the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana. Sanjay applied under the scheme to establish a service station. He received financial assistance of Rs. 1.40 lakh in the first instalment and Rs. 60,000 in the second instalment. With this total assistance of Rs. 2 lakh, he successfully started his car washing service station.
Sanjay says that he earns between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 15,000 every month from washing cars. He has also employed another young man and is training him in this work. He further invested the savings from his business and started providing auto electrical services, generating an additional monthly income of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000. Together, both ventures now provide him with a monthly income of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000. After meeting all expenses, he is able to save approximately Rs. 10,000 every month.
Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the state government, Sanjay says that the financial assistance received under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana gave him the opportunity to become self-reliant. For him, this support has been much more than financial assistance; it has provided him with a genuine opportunity to shape his own future.
Sukh-Aashray Yojana Creating Opportunities for Self-Reliance
It is noteworthy that the Himachal Pradesh government's Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana aims to provide education, skill development, social security and self-employment opportunities to eligible children and young people who require special care and protection. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries are provided financial assistance of Rs. 4,000 per month, along with a one-time financial grant of Rs. 2 lakh to start self-employment ventures. Various other benefits, including marriage assistance, are also provided to eligible beneficiaries.
Una Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal said that, as per the directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the district administration is committed to ensuring that the benefits of the scheme reach every eligible child in a timely and transparent manner. The administration is making every effort to ensure that no eligible child is deprived of the benefits of the scheme.
