Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ( CM Dhami ) on Tuesday launched the Chief Minister Single Women Self-Employment Scheme at a ceremony held at the CM’s residence. Implemented by the Women Empowerment and Child Development Department, the initiative aims to promote financial independence and entrepreneurship among single women across the state.
During the first phase, the Chief Minister transferred ₹3.45 crore directly to the bank accounts of 484 beneficiaries from six districts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The beneficiaries include women from Bageshwar (42), Dehradun (191), Nainital (75), Pauri (66), Tehri (23), and Udham Singh Nagar (87). On the occasion, the departmental calendar was also released.
Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami emphasized that the scheme would provide economic security, dignity, and self-reliance to women managing households independently. He said empowering women strengthens families, communities, and the overall progress of society.
मुख्यसेवक सदन में मुख्यमंत्री एकल महिला स्वरोजगार योजना का शुभारंभ करते हुए प्रथम चरण में 6 जनपदों की 484 मातृशक्ति के बैंक खातों में ₹3.45 करोड़ से अधिक की धनराशि डीबीटी के माध्यम से पहली किस्त के रूप में ट्रांसफर की। pic.twitter.com/nMz7P5pdCA
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) February 10, 2026
The scheme targets widows, divorced or deserted women, survivors of acid attacks and crimes, transgender persons, and women living independently for any reason. The Chief Minister added that beneficiaries from the remaining seven districts — about 540 women — will receive nearly ₹4 crore via DBT by the end of the month.
CM Dhami Highlights Women Empowerment Initiatives Under PM Modi
CM Dhami also highlighted the state government’s broader initiatives for women empowerment under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, including 33% reservation in legislatures, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, Lakhpati Didi scheme, and the abolition of triple talaq. He noted that Uttarakhand has taken progressive steps for women’s safety and rights, such as implementing the Uniform Civil Code and providing 30% reservation in government jobs.
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According to CM Dhami, nearly five lakh women in Uttarakhand are engaged in economic activities through over 70,000 self-help groups, supported by more than 7,000 village organizations and 500 cluster-level federations. Additionally, over 1.68 lakh women in the state have already become ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya said the scheme would help single women become self-reliant and create employment opportunities for others. Secretary Chandresh Yadav explained that projects worth up to ₹2 lakh per beneficiary would be approved, with the government providing a 75% subsidy (up to ₹1.5 lakh) and beneficiaries contributing the remaining 25% through personal funds or loans.