JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma emphasized on Friday that the economic, social, and political empowerment of women is the foundation of genuine progress. Speaking at a Gram Vikas Chaupal in Tilanesh village of Degana, he highlighted how state and central welfare schemes are helping women uplift their families and achieve self-reliance.
Sharma noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India relies on strengthening four key pillars: women, youth, farmers, and laborers. He cited initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission), which built household toilets to ensure rural dignity and safety. Additionally, the Ujjwala Yojana provided clean cooking gas connections to improve women’s health and living standards.
Driving Financial Independence
To promote rural financial independence, the state government provides a ₹5 per liter subsidy to dairy farmers. Furthermore, the Lakhpati Didi scheme encourages female entrepreneurship by offering business loans up to ₹1.5 lakh at a minimal 1.5 percent interest rate.
Through the Rajasthan Grameen Ajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika), women are connecting with self-help groups (SHGs) to secure stable employment. The Chief Minister also highlighted healthcare initiatives like the Maa Voucher scheme, which provides free sonography services to pregnant women, alongside the provision of milk for children at local Anganwadi centers.
Political Representation and Social Security
On the political front, Sharma underscored the significance of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act). This landmark legislation paves the way for a 33 percent reservation for women in legislative assemblies and Parliament, strengthening their role in policy-making.
The state is also ensuring social security by transferring pensions directly into the bank accounts of senior citizens and organizing subsidized pilgrimage schemes. The Degana event saw attendance from Public Health and Engineering Minister Kanhaiyalal Choudhary, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Manju Baghmar, and several local Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Beneficiaries Share Success Stories
During an interactive session, several beneficiaries presented homemade products to the Chief Minister and shared their transformative journeys. Neeru Solanki, a cluster manager, explained how joining Rajeevika and learning tailoring boosted her annual income to ₹1.25 lakh. She thanked the government for helping her overcome financial hardship and establish a unique identity in society.
Anita Gaur, recognized as a ‘Lakhpati Didi,’ shared that starting a small business with her husband’s support raised their annual household income to ₹2.5 lakh. Similarly, Kamala, an animal care worker (Pashu Sakhi), now earns around ₹40,000 monthly through animal husbandry and tailoring, giving her newfound confidence.
Maya, a local entrepreneur, highlighted the growth of her SHG, which now operates from its own building and earns ₹2.5 lakh monthly by manufacturing jute bags and toys. Radha Devi, who runs a village utensil bank, credited government housing and gas cylinder schemes for providing the foundation to become a self-reliant plaster coordinator.
These grassroots interactions in Degana underscore a growing momentum for Rajasthan women empowerment initiatives. By leveraging targeted government schemes, rural women are not only achieving financial independence but also emerging as key contributors to the state’s broader economic development.
