By PTI
PRAYAGRAJ: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Cabinet’s decision to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 to 21 was aimed at giving equal opportunities to women.
Speaking at a programme in Prayagraj, he said, “We’re making efforts to make this happen as the women want that they should get time to pursue their studies, to get equal opportunities. But some are troubled by this decision.”
He also said that the Centre has transferred Rs 1,000 crore to bank accounts of self-help groups to benefit around 16 lakh women.
Focusing on women’s welfare and women-centric schemes have always been the primary goal of the BJP, claimed PM Modi.
Addressing a programme in Prayagraj. #NariShaktiDeshKiShakti https://t.co/2njX6mz9zB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2021
The amount was transferred under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), with 80,000 self help groups (SHGs) receiving a community investment fund of Rs 1.10 lakh each and 60,000 of these groups receiving a revolving fund of Rs 15,000 each.
The mission aims to provide women, especially those at the grassroots, with necessary skills, incentives and resources.
The programme, which saw the participation of over two lakh women, was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Modi also released over Rs 20 crore to more than 1 lakh beneficiaries under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme’, which provides conditional cash transfer to a girl child at different stages of her life.
The total remittance is Rs 15,000 per beneficiary. The prime minister also laid the foundation stone of 202 supplementary nutrition manufacturing units in 43 districts. These units are being funded by SHGs and will be constructed at a cost of around Rs 1 crore a unit.
