CM Sukhu Receives Rs 95 Lakh CSR Cheque for Sukh-Ashray Kosh
Synopsis
HPPTCL handed over a Rs 95 lakh CSR cheque to Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on 7 July 2026 for the Sukh-Ashray Kosh, boosting the state's welfare scheme for orphaned children and destitute beneficiaries.
Key Takeaways
HPPTCL contributed Rs 95 lakh to the Sukh-Ashray Kosh under its Corporate Social Responsibility mandate.
The cheque was presented by Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant on behalf of HPPTCL to CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on 7 July 2026 .
Funds will support the welfare, care and education of orphaned children and other vulnerable beneficiaries under the Sukh-Ashray Yojana .
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh , HPPTCL MD Abid Hussain Sadiq and senior officials were present at the handover.
The contribution is part of Himachal Pradesh's policy of directing state PSU CSR funds into flagship social welfare schemes since 2022 .
Quarterly utilisation reports of the Sukh-Ashray Kosh are expected during the 2026-27 budget cycle.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, received a cheque of Rs 95 lakh from the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, earmarked for the Sukh-Ashray Kosh — the dedicated fund supporting the state's flagship welfare scheme for orphaned children and other vulnerable beneficiaries.
Context
The cheque was presented by Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant on behalf of HPPTCL. In his post on X, Chief Minister Sukhu stated that the contribution would provide 'महत्वपूर्ण सहायता' ('significant assistance') in ensuring the welfare, care and support of children and other beneficiaries covered under the Sukh-Ashray Yojana. He extended his 'heartfelt gratitude and thanks' to HPPTCL for the donation.
Present at the occasion were Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Secretary (Power) Rakesh Kanwar, HPPTCL Managing Director Abid Hussain Sadiq, and Deputy General Manager (Finance and Accounts) Anil Kumar Sharma.
Policy Backdrop
The Sukh-Ashray Yojana was formally launched by the Himachal Pradesh government in 2023 to provide monthly financial assistance, institutional care and educational support to orphans and destitute persons across the state. The scheme is administered through the Sukh-Ashray Kosh, which pools contributions from the state budget and external sources including CSR funds.
Since 2022, when the Congress government assumed office, state public sector undertakings including HPPTCL have been directed to channel their mandatory CSR allocations into priority welfare schemes under the Himachal Pradesh CSR policy framework. This approach reflects a broader pattern seen across Indian hill states with constrained fiscal space, where power utilities supplement social-sector budgets through structured CSR commitments.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of the Rs 95 lakh contribution are orphaned children and other vulnerable groups enrolled under the Sukh-Ashray Yojana. The funds are intended to strengthen care infrastructure, expand monthly assistance, and improve educational outcomes for beneficiaries who lack family support systems.
HPPTCL, as a state-owned power transmission utility responsible for intra-state grid infrastructure, is among the larger PSUs in Himachal Pradesh subject to CSR obligations under the Companies Act. Its contribution signals continued alignment between the state's infrastructure entities and the ruling government's social welfare priorities.
What's Next
Utilisation of CSR contributions to the Sukh-Ashray Kosh is subject to quarterly reporting, and the state government is expected to publish fund utilisation updates during the ongoing 2026-27 budget cycle. Additional CSR commitments from other state PSUs during the budget session could further bolster the scheme's financial base. The government's ability to demonstrate transparent deployment of these funds will be closely watched by welfare advocates and political observers alike.
Point of View
The administration achieves both policy impact and political optics without additional budgetary outlay. The presence of Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh — a prominent Congress figure in his own right — alongside senior HPPTCL management underscores the government's intent to project convergence between the infrastructure and social sectors. Whether the Sukh-Ashray Kosh can demonstrate auditable, timely utilisation of these accumulating CSR inflows will determine the long-term credibility of this funding model.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sukh-Ashray Yojana in Himachal Pradesh?
The Sukh-Ashray Yojana is a Himachal Pradesh government scheme launched in 2023 to provide monthly financial assistance, institutional care and educational support to orphaned children, widows and other destitute persons. It is funded through the Sukh-Ashray Kosh, which receives contributions from the state budget and CSR donations.
How much did HPPTCL donate to the Sukh-Ashray Kosh?
HPPTCL donated Rs 95 lakh to the Sukh-Ashray Kosh on 7 July 2026 under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. The cheque was presented by Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
What is HPPTCL and why is it making a CSR donation?
HPPTCL, or Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited, is a state-owned utility responsible for intra-state power grid infrastructure. Like other companies of its size, it is obligated under the Companies Act to spend a portion of its profits on CSR activities. The Himachal Pradesh government has directed state PSUs to channel these funds into priority welfare schemes.
Who attended the Sukh-Ashray Kosh cheque handover ceremony?
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Secretary (Power) Rakesh Kanwar, HPPTCL Managing Director Abid Hussain Sadiq, and HPPTCL Deputy General Manager (Finance and Accounts) Anil Kumar Sharma.
How does Himachal Pradesh fund the Sukh-Ashray scheme?
The Sukh-Ashray scheme is funded through the Sukh-Ashray Kosh, which combines state budget allocations with CSR contributions from Himachal Pradesh's public sector undertakings. Since 2022, the state government has actively directed PSUs such as HPPTCL to earmark their CSR budgets for this and other flagship welfare programmes.
