Uttarakhand's New Initiatives Empower Rural Women with Livelihood Opportunities

Introduction of Jalsakhi Scheme

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which began in 2022, has successfully assisted over 163,000 women in Uttarakhand in achieving an annual income exceeding ₹1 lakh. As the program enters its fifth year, the government is set to launch a transformative scheme named Jalsakhi, designed to enhance livelihood prospects for women in rural areas. This initiative will delegate responsibilities related to rural drinking water supply and billing to women's self-help groups (SHGs).

Har Ghar Nal Scheme Progress

The Har Ghar Nal scheme, aimed at providing tap water to every household in Uttarakhand, is approaching its completion goals. The drinking water department is currently working on optimizing the water supply system. Responsibilities such as issuing new connections, distributing and correcting bills, collecting payments, and maintaining rural water supply systems will be assigned to women SHGs. Furthermore, the department will equip these groups with water quality testing kits, and they will be responsible for reporting any issues with the water supply. Selected SHGs will receive training to become Nal Jal Mitras, or Tap Water Assistants.

Incentives for Women SHGs

This pilot initiative will provide an incentive of ₹10 for each bill processed by these groups, along with a share of the revenue generated. This approach aims to create additional income opportunities for rural women, allowing them to earn from home.

Lakhpati Didi Scheme Overview

The Lakhpati Didi scheme was initiated in 2022 with the goal of enabling 507,000 women linked to SHGs to earn more than ₹1 lakh annually. These women are being trained and connected to various income-generating activities, including agriculture, horticulture, dairy, tailoring, LPG distribution, basic veterinary services, insurance, and digital transactions. In just three years, 163,000 women have achieved the status of lakhpatis. Given the scheme's success, the government aims to elevate a total of 300,000 women to this status by the end of the current financial year.

Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana

To further bolster women's economic empowerment, the Dhami administration introduced the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana in August 2023. Currently, over 30,000 women in the state are benefiting from this program, which has facilitated business transactions worth ₹4.93 crore through women SHGs. The primary aim of this scheme is to enhance market access for products created by these groups.

House of Himalayas Initiative

In December 2023, the government launched a unified brand called House of Himalayas to promote Uttarakhand's traditional handicrafts, woven products, organic agricultural goods, and herbs. This brand, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has gained both national and international recognition. It features 36 products, 12 of which have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, affirming their authenticity and association with specific districts in Uttarakhand. Currently, House of Himalayas operates 11 stalls at state airports, helipads, and major hotels, with its products also available on various e-commerce platforms.

Government's Commitment to Women's Empowerment

The government is dedicated to empowering women in various sectors. Women's self-help groups are being integrated into numerous economic activities. In line with this commitment, efforts are underway to enhance women's involvement in water supply management. This new scheme has the potential to significantly improve the financial status of women in the region, according to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.