The year 2024 has been remarkable for Indian women’s empowerment. The government has launched and expanded several schemes providing millions of women with financial assistance, skill development, health insurance, and social security. Here are some of the key initiatives.
Lakhpati Didi Scheme
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a flagship program announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2023, during his Independence Day speech. The scheme aims to create three crore ‘lakhpati didis’ (prosperous sisters) in villages across India by providing them with tools to become financially self-reliant. The scheme encourages women to join self-help groups such as Anganwadi Didi, Bank Wali Didi, and Medicine Wali Didi, enabling them to earn a sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum per household.
The Department of Rural Development implemented this scheme with various ministries and agencies. The initiative provides interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh to eligible women, conducts monthly camps to disburse loans, and offers extensive training sessions to enhance their skills and business acumen. The scheme also links women with various government schemes such as PM Kisan, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and PM Ujjwala Yojana to ensure their access to social and economic benefits.
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme has already benefited over 9.2 crore women. It has boosted the rural economy, as women have started micro-enterprises in agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, food processing, and services. It has also empowered women to participate in decision-making, leadership, and governance at the village level.
PMJAY Scheme
Also known as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana, this is the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme that provides coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme covers over 50 crore beneficiaries, including 10 crore impoverished and vulnerable families, has approved over 5.5 crore hospital admissions, and provides cashless and paperless access to over 24,000 hospitals nationwide.
The PMJAY Scheme has been a boon for women, ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare services. It has also covered the cost of various treatments and surgeries that are specific to women’s health, such as maternity care, hysterectomy, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer. The plan has also reduced the out-of-pocket expenditure and financial burden on women and their families due to health emergencies.
Mudra Yojana
Named Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, too, the Mudra Yojana provides loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro enterprises. It aims to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and income generation among the society’s youth, women, and marginalized sections. The initiative offers three types of loans: Shishu (up to Rs 50,000), Kishor (Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh), and Tarun (Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh).
The Mudra Yojana has been a game-changer for female entrepreneurs, enabling them to start and expand their businesses without collateral or guarantor. Besides providing them with various support services like training, mentoring, marketing, and credit rating, the scheme has facilitated the creation of women-led enterprises in various sectors, such as beauty, fashion, education, food, and retail.
The Mudra Yojana has been a massive hit, as it has disbursed loans worth over Rs 4.6 lakh crore since its inception in 2015.
Conclusion
The government has shown its commitment and vision to empower women through various schemes and initiatives in 2024. These schemes have improved women’s economic and social status and enhanced their dignity and confidence. The plans have also contributed to the nation’s overall development and growth, with women emerging as the drivers of change and innovation.
The government has also announced its intention to introduce more future schemes and policies for women, such as reserving one-third of seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies, making triple talaq illegal, and providing free sanitary napkins to all school girls. These steps will further strengthen the position of women in India and make them equal partners in the country’s progress.
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FAQ
What is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme, and how can I apply it?
A scheme to make 3 crore rural women Lakhpati by joining self-help groups and getting interest-free loans, training, and benefits. One can apply through Gram Panchayat or Block Development Officer.
What are the benefits of the PMJAY Scheme, and how can I avail them?
A scheme to provide Rs 5 lakh health insurance annually to 50 crore people, including women-specific treatments. Avail with a PMJAY card from the Common Service Centre or Ayushman Mitra.
What is the Mudra Yojana, and how can I get a loan under it?
A scheme to provide loans up to Rs 10 lakh to small and micro enterprises, especially for women entrepreneurs. Get a loan from banks, microfinance institutions, or non-banking financial companies.
I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
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