Bilaspur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said women across the state are becoming increasingly financially empowered through government welfare schemes and livelihood initiatives, including the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, under which ₹1,000 is deposited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts every month.
Addressing women from the Beltara Assembly constituency during a programme organised on the occasion of the Teej festival in Bilaspur, Sai highlighted several government initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s economic independence and participation in economic activities.
₹1,000 Monthly Assistance Under Mahtari Vandan Yojana
The Chief Minister said direct financial assistance has helped women gain greater control over their finances. Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, ₹1,000 is transferred every month directly to eligible women’s bank accounts.
Sai said the scheme has completed 31 instalments, with more than ₹30,000 crore transferred to women’s accounts over the past two and a half years.
He said direct benefit transfers are helping reduce women’s financial dependence on their husbands and contributing to their economic empowerment.
Key figures under the scheme:
- Monthly assistance: ₹1,000 per beneficiary
- Instalments transferred: 31
- Total amount transferred: More than ₹30,000 crore
- Beneficiaries: More than 67 lakh
- 31st instalment: Over ₹631 crore disbursed
Gas Connections, Jan Dhan Accounts and PM Awas Yojana
Sai also highlighted other government initiatives that are contributing to women’s empowerment in Chhattisgarh.
These include:
- Gas cylinders issued in women’s names
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana bank accounts
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
- Mahtari Vandan Yojana’s monthly financial assistance
According to the Chief Minister, these measures are helping provide women with greater financial security and independence.
Focus on Lakhpati Didis and Drone Didis
Sai further underlined the government’s focus on creating “Lakhpati Didis” and “Drone Didis” to expand livelihood and income-generation opportunities for women.
The Chief Minister said the state government is continuously working for the upliftment of Nari Shakti and promoting initiatives aimed at helping women become economically self-reliant.
He also said women in Bastar are being supported through initiatives designed to improve their economic independence.
₹30 Lakh Announced for Beltara Mahotsav
During the programme, Chief Minister Sai announced an allocation of ₹30 lakh for the Beltara Mahotsav.
He also announced that Chorahadevari village in Bilha development block would be renamed Ram Devari.
The announcements were made during the Teej programme attended by women from the Beltara Assembly constituency.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment
Sai reiterated that the Chhattisgarh government is committed to strengthening women’s economic position through direct financial assistance, welfare schemes and livelihood opportunities.
The government’s initiatives are aimed at:
- Increasing women’s financial independence
- Creating livelihood and income-generation opportunities
- Expanding women’s participation in economic activities
- Supporting women in rural and tribal areas
- Strengthening the overall role of women in the state’s development
The Chief Minister said these initiatives are intended to ensure that women become more economically self-reliant and empowered.
Mahtari Vandan Yojana Continues to Be a Key Women-Focused Scheme
The Chhattisgarh government has positioned the Mahtari Vandan Yojana as one of its major women-focused welfare programmes.
In August, the 31st instalment was transferred to the accounts of more than 67 lakh beneficiaries, with over ₹631 crore disbursed in that instalment alone.
The continued direct transfer of funds, along with livelihood-focused initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi, forms a key part of the government’s efforts to promote women’s financial empowerment and economic participation across Chhattisgarh.
