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Pushkar Singh Dhami government of Uttarakhand has taken many big decisions in the interest of the women of the state on the occasion of Rakshabandhan festival. During the Rakshabandhan celebrations organized at Chakarpur Stadium in Udham Singh Nagar district, the Chief Minister made important announcements ranging from free bus travel for senior women to increasing financial assistance for self-employment. The main objective of these decisions is to strengthen the safety, easy mobility and economic independence of women in the state.

Free travel on roadways from the age of 60 and 10 pink e-buses to Dehradun

Till now, the rule of free travel in roadways buses was applicable for senior citizens from the age of 65 years in the state. Making changes in this system, Chief Minister Dhami announced that this relaxation for women will now be applicable from the age of 60 years. This decision will provide great relief to thousands of elderly women of the state while visiting pilgrimage places, hospitals or relatives.

Along with this, it has been decided to run 10 special Pink E-Bus in Dehradun to make public transport women-friendly. Under the 'Pradhan Mantri E-Bus Seva Yojana' of the Central Government, Uttarakhand is getting a total of 137 electric buses, out of which 100 buses are to be operated in the capital Dehradun. Out of these 100 buses, 10 buses will be run entirely as pink buses reserved for women. Later this service will also be expanded to other big urban centers like Haridwar, Haldwani and Udham Singh Nagar.

Self-employment loan limit increased to ₹ 2.50 lakh, interest free assistance issued

The Uttarakhand government has also expanded the scope of schemes to economically empower women. The maximum limit of concessional bank loan given under 'Mahila Self-Employment Scheme' has been increased from ₹ 2 lakh to ₹ 2.50 lakh. The Chief Minister clarified that the aim of the government is to make women capable of providing employment to others instead of making them mere employment seekers.

In this direction, interest-free loans up to ₹ 5 lakh are already being provided to Self Help Groups (SHGs) of the state. 'Mukhyamantri Sashakt Brahm Utsav Yojana' is also being run to connect these groups spread from hill districts to plain areas with the market.

With the aim of making the sale of products of women entrepreneurs easier, 13 sales centers (display cum sales outlets) will be opened in Dehradun for traditional and handicraft products of all the 13 districts of the state.

Hi-tech toilets will be built in tourist places and markets

To protect the dignity and privacy of the mother power, the state government will develop modern civic facilities across the state. Modern hi-tech toilets will be built in major markets, bus stands, national highways and tourist places located on the Chardham Yatra route.

Special care will be taken of cleanliness, ventilation, emergency alarm and security in these premises. This initiative has been taken to overcome the lack of basic toilet facilities that women travelers and women traders often face in hilly areas.

New target for 3.09 lakh lakhpati didis to become millionaires

The Chief Minister looked emotional while getting Rakhi tied by sisters in Chakarpur. He said that the love he received from his sisters gives him the energy to serve the public day and night.

Giving details of women empowerment campaigns going on in the state, he said that 3 lakh 9 thousand women of the state have become 'Lakhpati Didi'. He said, “The sisters of Uttarakhand have done excellent work despite adverse geographical conditions. Now our aim is to take them beyond Lakhpati Didi to becoming Crorepati Didi.”

Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to pass the Uniform Civil Code as a law, in which women have been given equal rights in matters to property and marriage. Apart from this, women have the legal right to 30 percent horizontal reservation in government jobs in the state. Under 'Nanda Gaura Yojana', which provides financial assistance on the education and birth of daughters, ₹ 11,000 is given on the birth of a girl child and ₹ 51,000 is given on passing the 12th examination.

A large number of local women including dozens of public representatives, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria and Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganapati were present at the ceremony.