BJP reaches out to women voters in Uttar Pradesh, Rs 1K cr given to self-help groups

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday showcased his government’s initiatives for women in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, launching several welfare schemes, including Rs 1,000 crore for self-help groups (SHGs).

Girls will get time to pursue studies

Daughters wanted that they should get time to pursue their studies and get equal opportunities. Therefore, efforts are being made to bring the legal age of marriage to 21 years for daughters. Narendra Modi, PM

He also highlighted his government’s plans to increase the marriage age for girls and the “enhanced safety and security” under the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.

Modi was speaking at a function, attended by more than two lakh women, in Prayagraj.

He said: “Daughters wanted that they should get time to pursue their studies and get equal opportunities. Therefore, efforts are being made to bring the legal age of marriage to 21 years for daughters. Everyone is seeing who is having problems with this… it has caused pain to some.”

Some Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs made adverse comments on the issue recently.

Meanwhile, praising law and order under Adityanath, the PM said the “biggest beneficiary of the eradication of mafia raj and lawlessness are sisters and daughters of UP”.

“Security, dignity and respect ensured by the double-engine government for the women of UP is unprecedented. I have full faith that with the blessings of our mothers and sisters, no one can push this new UP back into the darkness,” he said.

Prayagraj is seen as the gateway to eastern Uttar Pradesh — a stronghold of the SP. Congress leader Priyanka Vadra has also been pursuing a women-centric campaign.

The PM transferred Rs 1,000 crore to SHGs, benefitting around 16 lakh women and laid the foundation stone of more than 200 supplementary nutrition manufacturing units.

The transfer was made under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission with 80,000 SHGs receiving Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs 1.10 lakh per SHG and 60,000 SHGs receiving Rs 15,000 per SHG.