Women have played an important role in the formation of a separate Uttarakhand state. In many migration-affected hill districts, the number of women is more than men. For this reason, women are also called the axis of the folk life of the mountain. The good thing is that in the 24-year journey of the state of Uttarakhand so far, women are now seen touching every height. Since the formation of Uttarakhand state, the governments have taken many steps, the positive results of which are now coming to the fore. A big positive change came to the fore by giving reservation to women in the bodies and three-tier panchayats. With this, women leadership is now seen emerging at various levels.
Taking a big step towards women empowerment, the present government has now decided to implement 33 percent women reservation in cooperative societies. Along with this, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government has again implemented 30 percent horizontal reservation in government jobs to the women of Uttarakhand. The current Chief Secretary of the state is also a woman. Also, in many districts, women are taking up the responsibility of District Magistrate as well as Superintendent of Police.
New dimension in higher education
The number of girl students is increasing in higher education as well, the state government is encouraging girl education in many ways. For this, under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, assistance of Rs 12,000 is being provided on the birth of a daughter and Rs 51,000 on passing 12th. Also, Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Kit is also being provided on the birth of a daughter.
Tilu Rauteli Award
Every year, on the birthday of Veerangna Tilu Rauteli, the Uttarakhand government gives the State Stree Shakti Tilu Rauteli Award to the women of Uttarakhand who have done notable work in various fields. Under this award, a sum of Rs 51,000, a memento and a citation are provided. The government is also going to start working women hostels in every district, such hostels have already started in Dehradun, Haridwar. Where women living away from home get safe residential facilities at affordable rates.
Economic empowerment is happening
The government is also giving exemption in stamp duty on buying property in the name of women to make women financially strong. The government is also running Lakhpati Didi Yojana to improve the economic condition of women. In this, a target has been set to increase the annual income of every woman associated with self-help groups to more than one lakh. In this, women are being linked to livelihood by giving training in agricultural products, milk production, sewing embroidery as well as kitchen non-distribution, initial veterinary service, insurance scheme, digital transactions. The successful results of this scheme started in the year 2022 are now coming to the fore. More than one lakh women have become lakhpatis in the state. Now the state government has increased the target and has set a target of making a total of 2.50 lakh women Lakhpati Didi by 2026. Under the scheme, interest-free loan of up to five lakh rupees is being given to start the business of women self-help groups. Similarly, efforts are being made to increase the income of the groups under the Chief Minister’s Empowered Bahana Utsav Yojana. CM Dhami said that the state government is dedicated to Matri Shakti. Our government is trying to strengthen the economic condition of women, for this the government is running many schemes through women’s groups. Along with this, loans are also being given to women for self-employment. Due to this thinking, women reservation has been implemented in government jobs. The Uniform Civil Code which is going to be implemented soon in the state will also play an important role in empowering women economically and socially.
