PM Narendra Modi launches women-centric initiatives in Prayagraj, transfers Rs 1000 cr to various SHGs

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched several women-centric initiatives in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh and transferred around Rs 1000 crore to the bank account of various SHGs, which will benefit around 16 lakh women.

According to reports, the PM also transferred money to over 1 lakh beneficiaries of the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme, which provides assistance to the girl child. 

Prayagraj: PM transfers Rs 1000 cr in bank accounts of various SHGs, also transfers money to over 1 lakh beneficiaries of Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme,which provides assistance to girl child. He also laid foundation stone of 202 Supplementary Nutrition Manufacturing Units pic.twitter.com/4r7USB7yjU — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 21, 2021

While addressing the public at the launch of 'Kanya Sumangala Yojana', the PM said, "The state has worked for women empowerment. This scheme will benefit the daughters of the state."

"Most of the beneficiaries are those girls who didn't even have accounts until some time ago. But today, they have the power of digital banking.....Now daughters of UP have decided that they won't let the previous governments come back to power,'' PM Modi said in his address.

While highlighting several other women-centric initiatives taken by his government at the Centre, the PM said, "Union Cabinet has taken a decision to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 years to 21. We're making efforts to make this happen as the women want that they should get time to pursue their studies, get equal opportunities. But some are troubled by this decision.''

The Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme

The Scheme provides conditional cash transfer to a girl child at different stages of her life. The total transfer is Rs 15,000 per beneficiary. "The stages are at birth (Rs 2,000), on completing one-year complete vaccination (Rs 1,000), on admission in class I (Rs 2,000), on admission in class-VI (Rs 2,000), on admission in class-IX (Rs 3,000), on admission in any degree or diploma course after passing class X or XII (Rs 5,000)," according to the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO).

Supplementary Nutrition Manufacturing Unit

Besides, interacting with over 2 lakh women, the PM also laid the foundation stone of 202 Supplementary Nutrition Manufacturing Units. These units are being funded by the Self Help Groups and will be constructed at the cost of approximately Rs 1 crore for one unit. These units will supply Supplementary Nutrition under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in 600 blocks of the state, the PMO had said in its release. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier arrived in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

According to the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO), the transfer of money is being done under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), with 80,000 SHGs receiving Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs 1.10 lakh per SHG and 60,000 SHGs receiving Revolving Fund of Rs 15,000 per SHG.

The programme also saw the Prime Minister encouraging Business Correspondent-Sakhis (BC-Sakhis), by transferring Rs 4,000 as the first month`s stipend in the account of 20,000 BC-Sakhis.

When BC-Sakhis commence their work as providers of doorstep financial services at the grassroots level, they are paid a stipend of Rs 4,000 for six months, so that they get stabilized in their work and then start earning through the commission on transactions, the PMO had informed.

A large number of women had gathered in Prayagraj for the one-of-its-kind event to welcome PM Narendra Modi. The program was held as per the PM's vision to empower women, especially at the grass-roots level, by providing them with the necessary skills, incentives & resources.

State's CM Yogi Adityanath, Mathura MP Hema Malini and several other dignitaries were present during the event.