LUCKNOW, Sept. 11 -- Ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, the Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to roll out the Mahila Udyami Credit Yojana (women entrepreneurship scheme) to provide interest-free credit of up to Rs 1 lakh to around one crore women to start businesses, in the first phase. The proposed scheme, targeting women linked to self-help groups under the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission, will provide credit in three stages, with the total benefit going up to Rs 1 lakh. The first tranche is expected to be Rs 20,000. Those who repay it on time would be eligible for a second tranche of Rs 30,000, followed by a third tranche of Rs 50,000 after repayment of the second amount. Overall, the scheme is expected to benefit three crore women. Deputy chief minister and rural development minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya, said the state government is committed to the empowerment of women. "The process of providing loans to eligible women will be simplified and streamlined," he said. P3...