Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday stated that women’s safety, dignity, and economic empowerment are essential for building a prosperous state, while highlighting various government programs designed to enhance livelihoods, nutrition, and social security.
Marking the occasion of Ashtami during Sharadiya Navratri, the chief minister offered prayers to Maa Mahagauri, noting that her worship represents peace, purity, and compassion. In a statement shared on social media, he emphasized that genuine societal advancement can only be achieved when women are healthy, secure, well-nourished, and equipped to live independent and dignified lives.
Adityanath noted that the state administration, aligned with the directives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has broadened access for women in education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and employment, integrating them thoroughly into the state's growth trajectory.
Addressing historical shortcomings in nutritional distribution, the chief minister pointed out that prior to 2017, supplementary nutrition programs for children suffered due to interference from criminal factions. The administration subsequently transitioned the production and distribution of take-home rations to women involved in self-help groups, enhancing transparency and generating steady employment. Additionally, the monthly honorarium for Anganwadi workers was raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 12,000, complemented by health insurance coverage to improve social safety.
Adityanath reported that upwards of four lakh women across 31 districts are currently engaged with dairy producer companies like Balinee, Samarthya, Kashi, Baba Gorakhnath, and Srijani. These programs have enabled women to transform dairy farming into sustainable enterprises, thereby reinforcing the rural economy. He also drew attention to the impact of BC Sakhis in broadening rural financial access by delivering banking services directly to the gram panchayat level.
More than 1.20 crore women in Uttar Pradesh are presently connected to self-help groups, according to the chief minister. Through these networks and programs like Lakhpati Didi, participants leverage their collective skills to boost household incomes, achieve financial autonomy, and contribute to broader economic development under the guiding vision of empowered women leading to a prosperous state.