Sikkim announces scheme to empower stay-at-home mothers

Sikkim: Sikkim government on Sunday announced a scheme, Aama Sasaktikaran Yojana, to empower stay-at-home mothers. Now, every mother with no formal employment in the state will have a savings account. The goal is to provide financial support to women.

Chief Minister PS Tamang gave cheques to beneficiaries at Rangpo in East Sikkim.

14,000 women from 32 constituencies have been promised Rs 20,000 per year. All married women above the age of 18 including non-working, single, or divorced, those who do not work outside the house, and whose family members do not hold regular jobs will be covered under the scheme. Unwed mothers, victims of child sexual abuse, and widowed mothers will also be given the same support, reported NDTV.

"For 2023, we have allocated Rs 100 crore to finance the scheme and the main aim is to empower mothers financially in the household. The money, which is a sum of Rs 20,000 will go into their accounts and this will allow them to spend the money as per their requirements. Mothers who are also homemakers are ignored in society and the Sikkim government is thus focusing on the potential for these uncelebrated heroes in the family," said the CM.

The Sikkim government also claimed that it is the first state in India to initiate a welfare scheme to ensure the sustainability of mothers and give them the ability to change the lives of families. "It will also give women an opportunity to utilise the funds towards supporting educational requirements of their children, augment the family income, and other necessities."