News Excerpt:

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister launched the Mahatari Vandana Yojana and disbursed the first instalment to boost women empowerment in Chhattisgarh. 

About the Scheme:

• The scheme has been launched in Chhattisgarh to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month. 
• The scheme will provide benefits to all eligible married women of the state who are above 21 years of age as of January 1, 2024. 
• It has been envisioned to ensure economic empowerment of women, provide them financial security, promote gender equality and strengthen the decisive role of women in the family.
• Widows, divorced, and deserted women will also be eligible for this scheme. 
• Around 70 lakh women will benefit from the scheme.

Objectives of the scheme:

• To maintain the self-reliance of women and continuous improvement in the health and nutritional status of their dependent children.
• Making women more financially independent.
• To encourage the effective role of women in decision-making at the family level.

Benefits of the scheme: 

• Health Improvement: With the money available, women will be able to get medical facilities whenever needed, hence, it will improve the health of women and children.
• Enhanced lifestyle: The women can use the funds to learn new skills, or start their small business, after that, they can earn money that will eventually enhance their lifestyle and improve the living conditions of their families.

Eligibility criteria:

• To become the beneficiary, the applicant must fulfil these:
• Must be a female of 21 years or above.
• Married, divorced, widow, and deserted, all are included.
• Must be a Chhattisgarh resident.
• Must have aadhaar linked bank account.

Conclusion:
The Mahatari Vandana Yojana is a significant step towards women empowerment in Chhattisgarh. Providing financial assistance to eligible women will not only improve their economic status but also enhance their role in decision-making and ensure better health and lifestyle for them and their families.