Almora: The government of Uttarakhand is proposing a new subsidy program that would provide up to 50% subsidies for single women up to the age of 45 years, widows, single mothers and those earning less than Rs 6,000 per month to help them set up their own businesses. The program, which is still in the proposal stage, aims to support the financial status and overall empowerment of these women.
State women and child development minister Rekha Arya has said that this step will help build the future of nearly 1.5-2 lakh women in the hills. The beneficiaries of the program will be trained in various domains of state government work like fisheries, animal husbandry, millet products processing, etc. The beneficiaries will go through a "skill development training" first and be guided by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and other industry bodies to set up their ventures, depending on their skills and talent.
The officials of the department said that this program will be a major boost for women who are looking to start their own businesses but may not have the necessary funds to do so. The subsidy program will not only provide financial support but also help these women become self-sufficient and independent.
According to senior officers of the department, the proposal will be sent to the state government soon, so that on International Women's Day on March 8, the Uttarakhand government can announce this subsidy as a gift for women. The subsidy program is expected to be a major boost for the overall empowerment of women in the state.
The proposal comes at a time when women across India are increasingly stepping up to take on leadership roles in various sectors. The government of India has been actively promoting entrepreneurship among women through various programs and schemes. This new subsidy program is expected to be a major step towards supporting women entrepreneurs in the state of Uttarakhand.