Dehradun, Sept. 5 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday reiterated the state government's commitment to women empowerment, stating that several initiatives have been launched to boost women's participation in governance, economy and society. Speaking at the State Stree Shakti, Tilu Rauteli and Anganwadi Worker Award Distribution Ceremony in Dehradun, Dhami said, "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government is working with full dedication for the welfare and empowerment of women. We have implemented 30% reservation for women in government services and for the first time in the country, brought the Uniform Civil Code to ensure women's safety and rights." At the ceremony, 13 women were honoured with the Tilu Rauteli Award for their remarkable contribution in various fields, while 33 Anganwadi workers were felicitated for outstanding service. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.51,000, raised from Rs.31,000 in 2023. Similarly, the Anganwadi Worker Award amount has also been increased to Rs.51,000. The award is named after Tilu Rauteli, a 17th-century girl warrior from Pauri Garhwal, remembered for fighting seven battles between ages 15 and 21. This year's awardees include Meeta Upadhyay (Almora), Alisha Manral (Bageshwar), Surabhi (Chamoli), Anamika Bisht (Champawat), Shivani Gupta (Dehradun), Ruma Devi (Haridwar), Naina (Nainital), Roshma Devi (Pauri Garhwal), Rekha Bhatt (Pithoragarh), Hema Negi Karasi (Rudraprayag), Sakshi Chauhan (Tehri Garhwal), Rekha (Udham Singh Nagar) and Vijayalakshmi Joshi (Uttarkashi). Highlighting welfare measures for women, Dhami said that schemes like Mukhyamantri Laghu Udyog Protsahan Yojana and Entrepreneurship Development Programme are aimed at financial self-reliance. Interest-free loans of up to Rs.5 lakh are being provided to women self-help groups, he said. He added Anganwadi centres are playing a crucial role in early childhood development in rural areas. To strengthen them, the state government has increased the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers from Rs.7,500 to Rs.9,300, mini-Anganwadi workers from Rs.4,500 to Rs.6,250, and assistants from Rs.3,550 to Rs.5,250. Dhami praised women self-help groups under the House of Himalayas initiative, saying their products are competing with multinational brands. "The women of Uttarakhand do not lack ability or competence. As PM Modi said, the third decade of the 21st century will belong to Uttarakhand, and women groups will play a vital role in this transformation," he said....