Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday launched the Chief Minister Single Women Self-Employment Scheme at his official residence in Dehradun. The scheme, implemented by the Women Empowerment and Child Development Department, aims to promote financial independence and entrepreneurship among single women across the state. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released the departmental calendar.

In the first phase, ₹3.45 crore was transferred directly into the bank accounts of 484 beneficiaries from six districts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The beneficiaries include 42 women from Bageshwar, 191 from Dehradun, 75 from Nainital, 66 from Pauri, 23 from Tehri and 87 from Udham Singh Nagar. The remaining seven districts are expected to receive funds by the end of the month.

Addressing the gathering, Pushkar Singh Dhami said the scheme would ensure economic security, dignity and self-reliance for women managing households independently. He said widows, deserted and divorced women, survivors of acid attacks and crime, transgender persons, and women compelled to live alone for any reason have been included under the initiative. Around 540 additional beneficiaries are set to receive nearly ₹4 crore in the next phase.

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Highlighting broader efforts towards women's empowerment, Pushkar Singh Dhami referred to measures such as 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana and the Lakhpati Didi scheme. He also noted that Uttarakhand has implemented a 30 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and taken steps to strengthen women’s safety and rights.

According to officials, projects worth up to ₹2 lakh will be approved per beneficiary under the scheme. The government will provide a subsidy of 75 per cent or up to ₹1.5 lakh, whichever is lower, while beneficiaries will contribute the remaining 25 per cent through personal resources or loans. Women Empowerment Minister Rekha Arya said the scheme would help single women become self-reliant and generate employment opportunities for others.

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