The Uttarakhand government has presented the Budget for the financial year 2025-26, with special provisions for the welfare of women and children. Uttarakhand Finance Minister Premchand Agarwal presented the budget, emphasizing that it prioritizes women’s empowerment and child development. The gender budget has seen a significant increase, ensuring better facilities for women and children.
Special Provisions for Women’s Empowerment
The budget for women’s welfare and empowerment has increased by 16.66%, bringing the total allocation to ₹16,961.32 crore.
Key schemes and their budget allocations:
- Ujjwala Yojana: ₹1,578.4 crore to provide free LPG connections to poor women.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: ₹2,991 crore for the nutrition and care of pregnant women and newborns.
- Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana: ₹2,262 crore to support women farmers and enhance their participation in agriculture.
- Working Women’s Hostels & Safety Programs: ₹1,888 crore to provide safe housing for working women.
- Women’s Health and Nutrition Schemes: ₹1,396 crore to ensure better healthcare services for women.
- Schemes for Women in Vulnerable Sections: ₹1,400 crore to assist needy women.
Focus on Children’s Education and Nutrition
The Uttarakhand government has announced several key measures for the nutrition, education, and overall development of children.
Key child welfare schemes and their budget allocation:
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): ₹2,991 crore to provide nutrition and healthcare services to young children and pregnant women.
- Kishori Shakti Yojana: ₹1,000 crore to support adolescent girls with nutrition and education.
Provisions for the education sector:
- Implementation of the Right to Education Act (RTE): ₹17,883 crore to improve access to education.
- Free textbooks for students (9th-12th grade): ₹5,941 crore to provide financial assistance to students.
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme for Class 1-8: ₹2,300 crore to offer nutritious meals to students.
- Support for Girl Child Education (Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya): ₹1,500 crore to help girls from rural and underprivileged backgrounds access education.
Key Highlights of the Budget
- Increased focus on women’s economic participation, safety, and healthcare.
- Major investments in children’s education and nutrition.
- Special attention to women farmers and women in rural areas.
- A budget aimed at boosting social and economic development in the state.
The Uttarakhand government’s budget is seen as a significant step towards a brighter future for women and children. Finance Minister Premchand Agarwal described it as an inclusive and welfare-oriented budget that will strengthen the state’s social development.
