Empowering Women Through Welfare Programmes: Nirmala Sitharaman

Kurnool: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dedication to empowering women, emphasising his promise to transform women into millionaires.

The minister stated this while addressing the Vikasit Bharat Sankalpa Yatra held at the Boys High School in Gorantla, Sri Sathya Sai district. The PM interacted with beneficiaries of central government welfare schemes across various districts through virtual mode, she said.

Sitharaman stressed that the Yatra, launched by the PM on November 15, aimed to disseminate information about central government schemes and achieve 100 per cent saturation of these programmes. The nationwide initiative is set to span 60 days, with awareness programmes conducted in every constituency, covering two panchayats per day.

The minister mentioned that on November 28, 2023, the Union Cabinet approved the central sector scheme, allocating Rs 1,261 crore to provide drones to 15,000 women from 2024-25 to 2025-26. The initiative aims to offer rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes, fortify Self Help Groups and women's groups, and introduce innovative technologies in the agriculture sector.

She said central financial assistance, covering 80 per cent of the drone cost and accessory charges (up to



Rs 8 lakh), will be provided to women groups for drone procurement.

She elaborated on the comprehensive training provided to women, comprising 15 days of mandatory training, including 5 days dedicated to drone pilot training and an additional 10 days focusing on the agricultural application of nutrients and pesticides.

In the Sri Sathya Sai district, she cited the construction of 1.57 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, completion of 1.53 lakh houses through the Swachh Bharat programme and the benefit of Ayushman Bharat cards for 27,000 people. Further, 15,500 people in the district have benefited from the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana scheme.

As part of the Ujjwala 2.0 scheme, the minister distributed gas stoves and connections to the beneficiaries. She disbursed Rs 2 crore to self-help groups facilitated by the State Bank of India under the Lead Bank initiative.

The Union minister inspected the PDS shop at Gummayyagaripally cross along with officials.

Finance minister Buggana Rajendranath, finance secretary S.S. Rawat, state housing secretary Ajay Jain, district collector Arun Babu, Penukonda MLA Shankar Narayana, MLC Mangamma, ZP chairman Boya Girijamma and others were present.