CM Sukhu has directed the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department to launch the fourth phase of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) identification survey from February 1, 2026. Presiding over a departmental review meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible family is included in the BPL list so that they may avail benefits under various welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister stated that the BPL survey is being conducted in five phases to ensure comprehensive coverage and to prevent the exclusion of any deserving poor household. He informed that 59,829 families have already been included in the BPL list during the first three phases of the survey.
Providing district-wise details, he said that 13,786 families were identified in Chamba, 12,045 in Mandi, 10,807 in Kangra, 5,869 in Una, 4,522 in Shimla, 3,480 in Hamirpur, 2,957 in Kullu, 2,204 in Bilaspur, 1,567 in Solan, 1,277 in Sirmaur, 1,109 in Kinnaur and 206 families in Lahaul-Spiti district.
The Chief Minister added that eligible categories for inclusion in the BPL list include orphans up to the age of 27 years, households with members above 59 years of age, and families having members with disabilities between the age group of 27 and 59 years. He further stated that women-headed households with no adult male member in the age group of 27 to 59 years, and families where the head of the household has a disability of 50 percent or more, will also be covered.
He said that families who completed at least 100 days of work under MGNREGA in the previous financial year would be considered eligible. In addition, households where earning members are suffering from chronic or life-long illnesses such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy or hemophilia will also be included.
The government has also decided to extend BPL coverage to families living in pucca houses who have received financial assistance under State or Central housing schemes, ensuring broader social security and welfare inclusion.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
