₹4.49 Lakh Crore Allocated for Women’s Development in This Year’s Budget, With Special Focus on Employment and Nutrition

Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, visited Dibrugarh, Assam’s industrial hub, to assess the progress of various women and child welfare schemes in the state. During a press conference, she highlighted the significant strides made by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in advancing the welfare of women and children.

Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasized the importance of community participation in promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment for women. She commended the efforts of grassroots workers and assured continued government support in providing better opportunities for skill development and financial independence.

Key Achievements in Women’s Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development:

1. Rising Women’s Workforce Participation: Women’s labor force participation increased from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, driven by government-led employment programs.
2. Enhanced Nutrition Programs: Increased investment in the Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP) and Mission Poshan 2.0 to combat malnutrition effectively.
3. Reaffirming the government's commitment to women-led development, the Union Budget 2024-25 has made a historic financial allocation for the development of women and children:
4. ₹4.49 Lakh Crore Allocated: A significant increase from previous years, underscoring the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.
5. Support for Women Entrepreneurs: The term loan ceiling for first-time women entrepreneurs has been increased to ₹2 crore under the Stand-Up India Scheme.
6. Focus on Rural Electrification and Infrastructure: Special emphasis on improving infrastructure in remote areas to enhance women’s quality of life.
7. Women in Assam are playing a crucial role in transforming the state’s socio-economic landscape. Government initiatives have empowered them to take leadership roles in entrepreneurship, governance, and various other sectors. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that every woman and child in the state has access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Major Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment:

₹5,000 crore allocated for setting up hostels for working women in key industrial zones. 12 crore toilets and 12 crore tap connections have been provided over the past decade, significantly improving sanitation and access to clean water. In her concluding remarks, Smt. Annpurna Devi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Assam’s socio-economic fabric. She expressed confidence that with continued public support and robust government policies, Assam would reach new heights in development and prosperity.