CM Celebrates Air Tour Smiles, Pangi Children Wait for Dues
SHIMLA/PANGI: Even as BJP MLA Dr Janak Raj flags acute distress among orphaned children in remote Pangi due to stalled payments under the Chief Minister Sukh Ashray Yojana (MMSAY), Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday projected a rosy picture of the scheme, highlighting the “smiles” of children returning from an exposure air tour.
“In these smiles lies my biggest achievement,” the Chief Minister said, sharing emotional remarks about children who recently returned from an exposure visit.
He said the children are now “enriched with experiences, filled with confidence and moving towards a new beginning in life with renewed dreams.”
Calling Sukh Ashray more than just a scheme, Sukhu described it as a “sensitive home” where children find belonging, safety and emotional support.
“This is a place where children are not only protected but also understood. Their curiosity, sparkle in the eyes and confidence in their steps show they are learning to trust themselves,” he said.
The MMSAY is widely appreciated scheme that has brought a new light in the life of over 4000 orphans in Himachal Pradesh.
However, the Chief Minister’s heartwarming narrative stands in stark contrast to the ground reality in Pangi subdivision, where beneficiaries claim they have not received a single payment since October.
Bills worth ₹5.67 lakh remain pending due to treasury restrictions, leaving students struggling to continue their education and other daily needs.
While the government showcases success stories of exposure tours and smiling faces, children in far-flung tribal belts are still waiting for basic financial support promised under the same scheme—raising uncomfortable questions about selective success stories and neglected regions.Here’s a developed news story in a crisp, professional style:
BJP MLA from Pangi-Bharmour, Dr Janak Raj, has raised serious questions over the state government’s sincerity and governance after payments under the Chief Minister Sukh Ashray Yojana (MMSAY) were stalled, badly impacting the education of destitute children in the remote Pangi subdivision.
Dr Janak Raj said that bills amounting to ₹5.67 lakh under the scheme are pending as the state treasury remains effectively locked due to the ongoing financial crisis. “Because bills above ₹10,000 are on hold in the treasury, beneficiaries are suffering. This has created a major problem on the ground,” he said.
The MLA claimed that not a single beneficiary in Pangi has received payments since October. “It is not one or two cases. Nobody has received money for months because of the treasury hold,” he stated, expressing deep concern for his constituents.
Under the Sukh Ashray scheme, financial support is provided to orphaned and destitute children for their education and welfare.
However, students in Pangi say the delay in payments has hit them badly, affecting their studies and basic needs.
While the exact number of beneficiaries in Pangi is not officially available, the pending amount of ₹5.67 lakh reflects the scale of the crisis. Several other government bills are also stuck, exposing the gap between the government’s tall claims and ground reality.
Taking a dig at the ruling dispensation, Dr Janak Raj said even the government’s flagship welfare scheme has fallen victim to its ‘system change’ rhetoric. “I am deeply concerned about my people. Beyond that, I don’t know what else to say,” he remarked.
The opposition has demanded immediate clearance of pending bills, warning that continued delays will push vulnerable children further into distress and derail their education.
The contrast between official optics and grassroots hardship has once again triggered a political slugfest.
The opposition accused the government of “photo-op welfare” while real beneficiaries suffer silently and selectively.
#SukhAshrayReality
#PangiInDistress
#WelfareVsOptics
#ChildrenLeftBehind
