CM launches single women self-employment scheme

Dehradun: Chief minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday launched the ‘Chief Minister Single Women Self-Employment Scheme' aimed at economic empowerment of beneficiaries in Uttarakhand. In the first phase, 484 women across Bageshwar (42), Dehradun (191), Nainital (75), Pauri (66), Tehri (23) and Udham Singh Nagar (87) received Rs 3.45 crore through direct benefit transfer. Officials from women empowerment and child development department (WECD) said that by the end of the month, an additional 540 single women in the remaining seven districts will be provided around Rs 4 crore.
Dhami said, "The scheme would provide economic empowerment, dignity, security and self-reliance to women." He said women's participation is essential for the progress of society, adding, "Empowering women strengthens families and communities as a whole."Under the scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh will be provided to single women, including widows, divorced or abandoned women, women living alone for any reason, acid attack survivors, victims of criminal incidents and transgender persons. WECD minister Rekha Arya said, "This scheme would enable women to become self-reliant and generate employment opportunities for others."WECD secretary Chandresh Yadav said projects costing up to Rs 2 lakh are being approved, with a subsidy of 75% or Rs 1.5 lakh (whichever is maximum). "Beneficiaries are required to contribute the remaining 25% either from personal resources or through loans," he added.Dhami also highlighted that around five lakh women in the state are currently running their own businesses through more than 70,000 self-help groups. "Women across the state, through over 7,000 village organisations and more than 500 cluster organisations, are demonstrating collective leadership, with nearly 1.7 lakh achieving Lakhpati Didi status," he said.