Dehradun/Haridwar, Feb. 11 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday launched a new welfare initiative aimed at promoting self-employment, financial independence and social security among single women in the state. The scheme covers a wide category of beneficiaries, including unmarried, divorced, destitute, widowed, abandoned, transgender and crime-victim women in the age group of 21 to 50 years. As part of the launch, the CM transferred the first instalment of Rs.3.45 crore to the bank accounts of 484 beneficiaries from six districts including Bageshwar (42), Dehradun (191), Nainital (75), Pauri (66), Tehri (23) and Udham Singh Nagar (87), through direct benefit transfer (DBT). Addressing the gathering in Dehradun, where the "Chief Minister Single Women Self-Employment Scheme", operated under the women empowerment and child development department, was formally launched, Dhami said the scheme would empower women economically and provide them with dignity, security and self-reliance. "The struggle, courage and self-confidence of women in the state are being given a new direction. Without women, progress in any society or nation is impossible. When women are empowered, families and the entire society are empowered," he said. He said in addition to the first instalment of Rs.3.45 crore, around Rs.4 crore will be transferred to 540 women from the remaining seven districts by the end of the month. Dhami said the launch of the scheme would enable women to play leadership roles in society. Referring to national initiatives, he said several historic decisions had been taken for women's empowerment, including 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, Beti Bachao Beti Padao Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, and the abolition of the practice of triple talaq. He said the state government is continuously working for women's welfare and empowerment, with increasing participation of women in education, health, entrepreneurship and employment. Initiatives such as the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission, Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana, CM's Women Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme and CM's Udyamshala Yojana are providing new opportunities, with products made by women's groups being developed as recognised brands. The CM said that over 570,000 women in the state are running businesses through self-help groups, supported by more than 7,000 village organisations and over 500 cluster organisations, creating a model of collective leadership. He added that over 168,000 women in the state have achieved the status of "Lakhpati Didi". He further said the state has developed a strong ecosystem for processing, packaging and marketing of local products and has implemented 30% reservation for women in government services. He also highlighted the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state as a historic step towards protecting women's rights and safety. Women empowerment and child development minister Rekha Arya said the state government is working consistently for women's welfare. "This scheme will transform the lives of single women. They will no longer depend on others but will become self-reliant and generate employment for others as well," she said. Secretary Chandresh Yadav described the scheme as a powerful women entrepreneurship initiative. He said projects up to a maximum cost of Rs.2 lakh are being approved under the scheme. "A subsidy of 75% or Rs.1.5 lakh (whichever is lower) will be provided. The remaining 25% will be the beneficiary's contribution, either from personal resources or loans. Under the scheme, 75% of the project cost will be borne by the government as grant support," he explained....