Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has inaugurated the Chief Minister Single Women Self-Employment Scheme under the Women Empowerment and Child Development Department. The initiative aims to provide financial independence and support to women who are raising their families alone, including widows, divorced, abandoned women, acid attack survivors, victims of crimes, and transgender individuals.
First Phase Benefits 484 Women Across Six Districts
In the first phase, 484 women from six districts—Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri, Tehri, Bageshwar, and Udham Singh Nagar—received direct financial assistance of ₹3.45 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their bank accounts. Along with fund disbursal, the departmental calendar for the year was also released.
CM Dhami highlighted that the scheme is not just about monetary support but also about enhancing respect, confidence, and self-reliance among women. He emphasized that empowered women strengthen families and society as a whole.
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Next Phase to Benefit 540 More Women
The Chief Minister announced that the second phase will extend benefits to 540 women from seven remaining districts by the end of the month, distributing nearly ₹4 crore via DBT.
The scheme specifically targets women who face social or economic challenges, including widows, divorced, abandoned women, survivors of acid attacks, victims of criminal incidents, and members of the transgender community.
Women as Leaders Through the Scheme
CM Dhami stated that the scheme aims to transform beneficiaries into leaders and entrepreneurs, not just recipients of aid. He cited national initiatives such as 33% reservation for women, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, and measures against triple talaq as examples of government support for women empowerment.
Strengthening Economic Participation
The Chief Minister noted that women’s participation in education, healthcare, employment, and entrepreneurship is rapidly increasing in Uttarakhand. Various state schemes are supporting women, including:
- Uttarakhand Gramin Aajeevika Mission
- Sashakt Bahna Utsav Scheme
- Women Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme
- Mukhyamantri Udemyshala Yojana (developing women’s group products as branded goods)
Self-Help Groups Becoming a Source of Strength
Currently, nearly 5 lakh women are running businesses through over 70,000 self-help groups, supported by 7,000 village organizations and 500 cluster organizations. More than 1.68 lakh women have become part of the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, earning financial independence.
Women’s Rights and Safety
The government has implemented 30% reservation for women in government services and introduced measures to protect women’s rights and safety, including the implementation of a uniform civil code. Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya stated that the scheme will make women self-reliant and empower them to provide employment opportunities to others in the future.
Financial Assistance Details
According to Secretary Chandresh Yadav, under the scheme, projects up to ₹2 lakh will be approved for each beneficiary. The government provides 75% subsidy or up to ₹1.5 lakh, while the beneficiary contributes the remaining 25%.
This scheme represents a major step forward in promoting financial independence, entrepreneurship, and leadership among women in Uttarakhand.
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