Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and participated at a programme being held to empower women, especially at the grassroot level. Modi transferred an amount of Rs 1,000 crore into the bank account of Self Help Groups (SHGs) benefitting around 16 lakh women members.. This transfer was made under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), with 80,000 SHGs receiving Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs 1.10 lakh per SHG and 60,000 SHGs receiving Revolving Fund of Rs 15000 per SHG.
The programme witnessed the Prime Minister encouraging Business Correspondent-Sakhis (B.C.-Sakhis) by transferring Rs 4,000 as first month’s stipend into the account of 20,000 B.C.-Sakhis. During the programme, Modi also transferred a total amount of over Rs 20 crore to more than 1 lakh beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme. The PM also laid the foundation of 202 Supplementary Nutrition Manufacturing Units on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Modi paid tribute to the doyen of Hindi literature Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi on his death anniversary.
The PM said that the entire country was witnessing the work being done for women empowerment in Uttar Pradesh. He said schemes like Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, under which he transferred crores of rupees to the accounts of more than one lakh beneficiary daughters of the state today, are becoming a great medium of trust for the rural poor and for the girls.
The PM remarked that the security, dignity, and respect ensured by the double-engine government for the women of UP is unprecedented.The women of Uttar Pradesh, he said, have decided that they will not allow the return of earlier circumstances. He mentioned that the government has tried to awaken the consciousness of society to prevent sex selective abortions by Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign. This has resulted in an increase in the numbers of daughters in many states, he said. Modi said the Government is focused on immunization of pregnant women, delivery in hospitals, and nutrition during pregnancy. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Rs 5,000 is deposited into the bank account of women during pregnancy, he added, according to a PIB release.
With the construction of crores of toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, facility of gas connection under the Ujjwala scheme, and tap water in the house itself, a new convenience is also coming in the lives of sisters, the PM said. He remarked that for decades, house and property were considered as the right of men only. He said the schemes of the government are removing this inequality. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is the biggest example of this. The houses being given under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are being built in the name of women on priority basis.
Modi saiid that in the schemes being run for employment and increasing the income of the family, women are being made equal partners. Today, Mudra Yojana is encouraging new women entrepreneurs, even from poor families in villages. “I consider the sisters of women self-help groups to be the champions of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat campaign. These self-help groups are actually National Help Groups,” Modi said.
The PM said that the double-engine government, without any discrimination, is working relentlessly to empower the future of daughters. He also informed about the important decision regarding the legal age of marriage for girls. “Earlier, the legal age of marriage for sons was 21 years, but for daughters it was only 18 years. The daughters also wanted that they should get time to pursue their studies and get equal opportunities. Therefore, efforts are being made to bring the age of marriage to 21 years for daughters, ” Modi said.
The Prime Minister referred to the improvement of the law and order situation in the state in recent years. He said the biggest beneficiary of this eradication of mafia raj and lawlessness are the sisters and daughters of UP. He lauded the Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath for bringing the situation under control. He said,“ Today, there is security as well as rights in Uttar Pradesh. Today UP has possibilities as well as business. I have full faith that with the blessings of our mothers and sisters, no one can push this new UP back into the darkness”.
