Need to build a new India on the basis of women-led development: Smriti Irani
Highlighting various women-focussed development programmes launched by the Narendra Modi-led government over the last few years, Irani said the prospects for women get better when they are at the fulcrum of governance.
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday said there is a need to ensure that a new India is built on the basis of women-led development.
Highlighting various women-focussed development programmes launched by the Narendra Modi-led government over the last few years, Irani said the prospects for women get better when they are at the fulcrum of governance.
"The Prime Minister says that we have for years initiated programmes which are dedicated towards women development, but as we build a new India, we need to ensure that it is an India built on the basis of women-led development," she said in her address at the Economic Times SDG Summit.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, 22 crore women, who were earlier unbanked, have now received financial services, Irani stated.
She said under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), over 17 crore women have benefitted.
The minister said over eight crore Indian women have benefitted from clean cooking fuel under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
"Today, I can happily share that over 10 crore families have household toilets, primarily benefitting the women in the family," Irani said.
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which benefits over 10 crore families, has predominantly helped women in rural India gain access to better health care facilities, she said.
In August, the Assam government signed an agreement with microfinance companies for a Rs 12,000 crore loan waiver scheme, which will benefit several lakh women borrowers. About 38 MFIs and banks had signed an MoU with the state government to implement the Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS).
STPI — an autonomous organisation under the MeitY — had also launched the second edition of CHUNAUTI to boost promising tech startups in Tier-II cities, with a special focus on women entrepreneurs.
(Disclaimer: Additional information has been added to this PTI copy for context.)
Edited by Megha Reddy