Dehradun, August 11, 2026: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended a women’s dialogue programme organised in Bhaunwala on the occasion of the Teej festival. He felicitated women who have made notable contributions in different fields and interacted with a large gathering of women to hear their views, suggestions and expectations.
Dhami said government policies become more effective when they reflect the experiences and voices of the people. He expressed confidence that the women of Uttarakhand will continue to be the state’s strongest force for development and prosperity and will play a decisive role in achieving the vision of “Empowered Women, Prosperous Uttarakhand.”
The Chief Minister described Uttarakhand’s women as the state’s real strength. He said women have guided their families and communities through difficult circumstances and have played an inspiring role from the movement for statehood to the state’s present development journey.
Dhami said the government’s objective is not limited to providing women with the benefits of welfare schemes. The larger goal, he added, is to give women greater opportunities, dignity, leadership roles and a meaningful say in decision-making.
He said women’s empowerment has gained fresh momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Schemes such as Ujjwala, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi, MUDRA, Stand-Up India, Mission Shakti, One Stop Centres, women’s helplines and financial assistance for self-help groups have created new possibilities for women across the country.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand is also focusing on women’s education, health, safety, skill development, employment and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the provision of 30 percent horizontal reservation for women in government jobs and 33 percent reservation in cooperative societies.
He said schemes such as the Single Women Self-Employment Scheme, Mukhyamantri Mahila Satat Aajivika Yojana, Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana and Lakhpati Didi programme have connected thousands of women with employment and self-employment. More than 2.65 lakh women in Uttarakhand have become Lakhpati Didis, while many others are building independent livelihoods through self-help groups.
Dhami said the government is also working to help women find better markets for their products through platforms such as House of Himalayas. Initiatives including Drone Didi, Solar Sakhi and Mahila Sarathi are helping women access technology, new skills and emerging income opportunities.
He added that the health, dignity and welfare of women remain among the government’s top priorities. He referred to initiatives such as Eja-Boi Shagun, Mahalakshmi Kits, nutrition programmes, increased honorariums for Anganwadi and ASHA workers, Nanda Gaura Yojana, old-age and widow pensions, and free religious travel for senior citizens.
Dhami said women-led development is essential for building a stronger Uttarakhand. He urged women to continue sharing their suggestions with the government so that policies and programmes can be made more responsive to their actual needs.
Sahaspur MLA Sahdev Singh Pundir, women members of self-help groups, award-winning women from different fields, social workers, public representatives and a large number of local residents attended the programme.
