By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Rudraprayag, 11 Apr: As part of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, Cooperatives Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat is participating in district-wise programmes focused on women empowerment across Uttarakhand. In this series, a Women Empowerment Programme was organised today at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Ratura, in Rudraprayag district. Women from various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural areas actively participated in the event.
The programme commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Chief Guest, Cooperatives Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat.
In his address, Dr Rawat stated that Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to implement 33% reservation for women in cooperative elections, underlining the government’s intention to increase female participation in cooperatives. Through cooperative initiatives, farmers in both plains and hill regions are experiencing an increase in income, whether through the Millets Mission or 0% interest loans.
The minister highlighted the increasing interest of farmers in hill regions towards millet production, with the government directly purchasing millets like mandua and jhangora from farmers, thereby boosting their income and improving their quality of life.
He announced that the goal is to create 10,000 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (women earning over Rs 1 lakh annually) in Rudraprayag district. Citing various successful cooperative models from the state, he emphasised how policy-level inclusiveness and cooperative schemes are contributing to women’s social and economic empowerment, as well as enhancing education, training, and skill development.
Over 350 women participated in the programme, including members from cooperative women’s groups and autonomous cooperatives. Dr Rawat informed that 28 new MPACS (Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) have been formed in the district to meet local rural needs.
On this occasion, 15 female department employees were honoured with the “Cooperative Women Shakti Samman 2025”, including: Monika Chunera (District Assistant Registrar, Rudraprayag); Bhavna Bisht (Senior Branch Manager); and Bhumika Ramola, Pooja Devi, Archana Negi, Radha Rani, Anju, Jyoti Arya, Sarita Bhatt, Nirmala Bhatt, Shikha, Aishwarya Nautiyal, Pragati Chauhan, Beena Devi, Neema Jagwan.
Women SHG leaders and groups awarded with citations for outstanding work included Damyanti Devi (Jai Maa Dhaari SHG); Soni Devi (Ghadiyal Devta SHG); Sumitra Devi (Kedarnath SHG); Kalavati (Trijugi Narayan SHG); Sudha Devi (HCG Ratura SHG); Vachan Devi (Ghuneswar SHG); Dineshwari (Nagraj SHG); as well as Durga, Beena Devi, Rajkumari Rana, Shashi Devi, Saroj Devi, Dulari Devi, Rama Devi, Rameshwari Devi.
In addition, loans worth Rs 20 lakh at 0% interest were distributed to six women SHGs, each receiving Rs 3-4 lakh, including Jai Maa Dhaari Devi SHG; Ghadiyal Devta SHG; Kedarnath SHG; Trijugi Narayan SHG; Naina Devi SHG Ghadiyal; Sheetla SHG.
Assistant Registrar Monika Chunera disclosed that, last year, Rudraprayag distributed Rs 26 crore in total loans, while this year it has increased to Rs 31.6 crore. Under the Deendayal Scheme, Rs 21 crore have already been distributed, achieving 100% of the target. Proposals for micro ATMs from three committees have been sent to the District Cooperative Bank. Additionally, 32 committees are working under CSC centres, and 34 committees have obtained licenses under the PM Kisan Samriddhi Scheme.
Notable attendees included former BJP District President Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, former BJP District President Mahavir Singh Panwar, former BJP District President Vijay Kapadwan, former DCB Chairman Gajendra Singh Rawat, former State Women Executive Member Sarala Khanduri, as well as officials and employees associated with the Cooperative Department.
