Karnataka government has launched Stree Samarthya Yojana 2024 for empowerment of women and girls in the state. CM Basavaraj Bommai said that the state govt. is formulating schemes that will help women and also the working classes. Financial assistance will be provided to a woman to run the house independently and assistance will be given to run families. Along with the Stree Samarthya scheme and under the Stree Shakti scheme, the monetary help will be extended to run houses, covid treatment, and healthcare.
Stree Samarthya Namo Stree Yojana Launch
CM Basavaraj Bommai on 8 March 2023 launched “Stree Samarthya Namo Stree Yojana” to support women self-help groups (SHGs) on the occasion of International Women’s Day. A sum of Rs. 500 crore has been allocated the yojana and Rs. 100 crore released for 9,890 SHGs. Chief Minister said 50,000 associations have been identified to set up three industrial units and 15 product manufacturing units in each district under the yojana. Units to produce castor oil, jam, earthenware, chips and other items will be set up to create jobs for women.
The CM said that the state government has allocated funds for skill development and to support and create opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Interest-free loans and training will be provided to them. Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) aims to create jobs for five lakh women by 2026. To empower women workforce, KDEM has signed seven MoUs with industries to provide upgrade their skills. Leaders associated with Women@Work initiative in the state stressed the need to create ecosystems in academia and industries to bridge the skill gap among women.
To mark International Women’s Day, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) offered free bus ride for women. Several trains and other services under South Western Railway were handled by women crew. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike organised a vaccination drive for girls aged between 12 and 14 to prevent cervical cancer.
A walkathon, “Unpause Initiative”, was organised in the city by Ujjivan Small Finance Bank to support women workforce attending office after a break. Special initiatives were launched for the benefit of women artisans, mothers of children with special needs, and business women. All stake-holders opined that it was necessary to create opportunities to uplift women, leading to an inclusive environment and eventually an equal platform for all genders.
Stree Samarthya Yojane in Karnataka Budget 2023-24
While presenting Karnataka Budget 2023-24, FM said “The Government has given emphasis to encourage more number of women to get involved in the economic activities. Action is being taken to provide community investment fund of Rs. 500 crore to 50,000 SHG’s at the rate of Rs.1 lakh each under the Stree Samarthya Yojane. Under various self-employment schemes, Community Investment Fund of Rs. 108 crore to 7,239 Self Help Groups and loan of Rs. 11,391 crore under bank linkage program to 5.68 lakh Self-Help Groups has been provided. Loan facility through banks has been provided to 9,688 individual and group beneficiaries to commence micro enterprises. In addition to this, in the Co-operative Sector, loans of Rs.1,600 crore have been distributed at zero percent interest rate to 40,000 Women Self-Help Groups in the last year. For this, interest subsidy of Rs.96 Crore has been given by the Government. In the current year, it is targeted to distribute a loan to the extent of Rs. 1,800 crore at zero percent interest rate to 45,000 Women Self-Help Groups”.
FM also said “To encourage women to take up self-employment activities, Sthree Samarthya Yojane was implemented in the previous year. Under this scheme, a facility to provide seed Fund and loan at zero percent interest rate was provided in the Cooperative Sector to the Self-Help Groups”.
Chief Minister said “Firstly, the Karnataka state govt. will implement Stree Samarthya scheme 2024 and then will launch a program that will help women to run the family.” He mentioned that government is contemplating implementing public welfare schemes and helping the working class more. Besides, schemes for farmers, workers, women, SC/ST, and OBCs are also being planned.
Objectives of Stree Samarthya Scheme in Karnataka
CM mentioned that Karnataka govt. launch a new scheme for empowerment of women and girls. This will help women to tackle their day-to-day problems and enable them to lead their lives happily. The scheme will be titled Stree Samarthya Yojana (Women Empowerment Scheme), CM added.
Highlights of Stree Samarthya Yojana
| Name of Scheme | Stree Samarthya Yojana |
| State Name | Karnataka |
| Announced by | CM Basavaraj Bommai |
| Date of Announcement | 14 January 2023 |
| Launch Date | 17 February 2023 (in Karnataka Budget 2023-24) |
| Objective | Empowerment of girls and women in the state |
| Implementation Year | 2023, 2024 and so on |
CM Attack Opposition on False Promises
CM Basavaraj Bommai slammed Congress over its election promise to provide 200 units of electricity free of cost. He mentioned that “Congress is on the brink of collapse. ESCOMs are in debt because of the grand old party offering freebies. Congress is misleading people by announcing freebies and has stated that they will give Rs. 9,000 crore for schemes but they will remain only words and will not be implemented by them”.
While talking about the reservation of Panchamasalis and Vokkaligas, Bommai added, “We have done this within one week, Congress is trying to gain political mileage from this entire quota row.” The State Budget for 2023-24 will be tabled in February and already two rounds of discussions have been held with the Finance Department in this regard. Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to take place later this year.
Source / Reference Link: https://finance.karnataka.gov.in/storage/pdf-files/1_BUDGET%20SPEECH(Eng).pdf