CM launches second phase of ‘Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana’
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 22 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the second phase of the ‘Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana’ at an event held at his Camp Office here today. The programme was organised by the Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development. On this occasion, assistance amounting to around Rs 1.554 crores was transferred through DBT as the first instalment to 212 new women beneficiaries, while an amount of around Rs 1.207 crores was provided as the second instalment to 276 beneficiaries of the first phase. In total, an amount of around Rs 2.762 crores was disbursed to 488 women beneficiaries.
Earlier, on 10 February 2026, Rs 3.45 crores had been extended to 484 women beneficiaries under the first phase of the scheme.
Addressing the gathering, the CM said that the greatest strength of any society and nation lies in its women and when women are empowered, the families, the society and the nation are strengthened. He noted that mothers and sisters of Uttarakhand are not only fulfilling family responsibilities but are also contributing to the state’s economy. He asserted that the government is committed to providing every woman with dignity, security, self‑reliance and a strong foundation for independence. He explained that the scheme aims to empower single, destitute, widowed, abandoned and divorced women, as well as acid attack survivors, victims of other criminal incidents and transgender persons, by enabling them to establish self‑employment ventures. Projects of value up to Rs 2 lakhs are sanctioned under the scheme, with up to 75 per cent subsidy provided by the state government. He emphasised that the objective is not merely financial assistance but to give women the opportunity to stand on their own feet with dignity.
Dhami claimed that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women’s dignity, security and empowerment have gained new direction. Historic decisions such as women’s reservation, Beti Bachao‑Beti Padhao campaign, Ujjwala Yojana, Lakhpati Didi initiative and the abolition of the social evil of triple talaq have ensured women’s strong participation in the mainstream of development. The state government, guided by the PM is continuously working for the holistic development and economic self‑reliance of women. He added that through the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission, Sashakt Behna Utsav Yojana, Mukhyamantri Mahila Self‑Help Group Empowerment Yojana and Mukhyamantri Udyamshala Yojana, women are being linked with self‑employment and entrepreneurship. The CM reminded that more than 15,000 women entrepreneurs, self‑help groups and Lakhpati Didis are being provided incubation facilities, while the ‘House of Himalayas’ brand is connecting local products of the state to national and international markets.
The CM also reminded that nearly 5 lakh women in the state are engaged in economic activities through over 70,000 self‑help groups (SHGs). More than 7,000 village organisations and 500 cluster organisations are strengthening collective leadership among women, while over 2 lakh 65 thousand women have become Lakhpati Didis, setting new examples of self‑reliance. The government is also developing robust systems for processing, packaging, branding and marketing of products prepared by women. He asserted that the state has provided 30 per cent horizontal reservation for women in government services and has taken a historic step by implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to safeguard women’s rights and ensure equal justice. He expressed confidence that the Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarozgar Yojana would write a new chapter of self‑reliance, dignity and economic empowerment in the lives of thousands of women in the state.
Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said the scheme is writing a new chapter of self‑reliance, dignity and confidence in the lives of single women in Uttarakhand. She remarked that under the leadership of CM Dhami, the government considers women not as mere recipients of assistance but as partners in development, linking them with self‑employment opportunities at the local level so that they may live with dignity and economic strength. She added that the government is consistently striving to make women self‑reliant by connecting them with training, financial support, marketing and entrepreneurship, and urged beneficiaries to make full use of this opportunity and inspire other women as well.
On this occasion, beneficiary women expressed gratitude to the CM for taking ahead this important scheme. Secretary of Women Empowerment and Child Development Chandresh Kumar, Director Banshilal Rana and other departmental officials were among those present on this occasion.
