PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Chief Minister’s Single Women Self-Employment Scheme during a programme on Tuesday, emphasising that it will empower women economically while providing them with respect, security and self-reliance. The CM also transferred Rs 3.45 crore as the first installment under the scheme to the accounts of 484 beneficiaries across various districts, including Bageshwar (42 beneficiaries), Dehradun (191), Nainital (75), Pauri (66), Tehri (23) and Udham Singh Nagar (87) via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He said that the struggle, courage and self-confidence of millions of women in the State are finding new direction. He stressed that without women, the progress of any nation or society is impossible, stating that empowering women strengthens families and the entire community. Under this scheme, a total of 484 beneficiaries were provided Rs 3.45 crore in the first installment, with approximately Rs four crore slated for an additional 540 women in the remaining seven districts through DBT by the end of the month. The scheme targets women who are widowed, abandoned, divorced, or facing life challenges for any reason, as well as victims of acid attacks, criminal incidents and transgender individuals, he said. He also highlighted the government’s historic decisions, including a 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign and others. Dhami reassured that the State government is committed to the welfare of women in Uttarakhand, stating that women’s participation in education, health, entrepreneurship and employment is on the rise. Various initiatives, including the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission, Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana and the Chief Minister’s Women Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme, are being implemented to create new opportunities for women. He added that nearly 5,00,000 women in the State are currently running their own businesses through more than 70,000 self-help groups. Through over 7,000 village organisations and more than 500 cluster organisations, these women are setting an inspiring example of collective leadership. More than 168,000 women, referred to as “Lakhpati Didi” are making history in the realm of women’s empowerment, he said. Women Empowerment and Child Development minister Rekha Arya said that the State government is consistently working for women’s welfare under Dhami’s leadership. She highlighted that women will no longer rely on others but will become self-reliant and help connect others with employment opportunities. She believed this scheme will significantly improve the lives of single women. Secretary Chandresh Yadav added that the CM Single Women Self-Employment Scheme is a powerful initiative for women’s entrepreneurship. He explained that under this scheme, projects worth up to Rs two lakh will be approved. Beneficiaries will receive a subsidy of 75 per cent of the costs incurred through their own resources or loans, capped at Rs 1.50 lakh. Additionally, women will receive 75 per cent of the departmental grant amount for their projects, while a 25 per cent contribution from the woman will be mandatory.
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