State Government Committed to Women’s Safety, Empowerment, and Progress: Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Loan Cheques Distributed to Self-Help Groups in Baramati Taluka

Baramati : Maharashtra has always been at the forefront of women’s empowerment and social reform, said Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district Ajit Pawar, stating that the state government is firmly committed to ensuring the safety, empowerment, and progress of women. Honouring and uplifting women is not only a social responsibility but also the foundation of Maharashtra’s prosperous future, he emphasized.

He was speaking at a programme organized for the distribution of loan cheques to Self-Help Groups (SHGs), held jointly by the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (UMED), Zilla Parishad, and Panchayat Samiti. Present on the occasion were Block Development Officer Dr. Anil Bagal, Assistant BDO Nandan Janrade, Child Development Project Officer Abhiman Mane, Group Education Officer Nilesh Gawli, PWD Sub-Engineer Shivkumar Kupal, and former Municipal President Subhash Somani, among others.

Statewide Celebrations to Honour Historic Women Leaders

Deputy CM Pawar highlighted that this year marks the 300th birth anniversary of Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar, and the 350th anniversary of Queen Tarabai of the Karveer Sansthan in Kolhapur. On these occasions, the state government will organize year-long commemorative events. Maharashtra’s legacy includes Rajmata Jijau, Queen Tarabai, Savitribai Phule, and Ahilyadevi Holkar, and it is essential to both preserve and promote their legacy. Their path of action should guide the state’s future efforts.

Honouring the Legacy of Ahilyadevi Holkar

Describing Ahilyadevi Holkar as a visionary ruler, Pawar praised her contributions—building temples across India, constructing ghats along rivers, dharamshalas, roads in villages, and public water facilities. The state government has now taken up restoration of old wells and ghats built during her era that have fallen into disrepair.

Revolutionary Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment

Pawar underscored that a self-reliant nation requires self-reliant women, and the state has launched several people-centric and revolutionary initiatives:

• A dedicated Women’s Policy
• Equal rights in ancestral property
• 33% reservation in government jobs
• 50% reservation in local self-governance bodies
• 50% fare concession on ST buses
• Free education for girls, including higher and technical education
• Creation of 7 lakh new SHGs
• Increase of ₹30,000 in the revolving fund for SHGs

He also listed key schemes like:

• Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana
• NaMo Women Empowerment Campaign
• Pink Women Auto Rickshaw Scheme
• CM Annapurna Yojana
• Lek Ladki Yojana
• Lakhpati Didi
• Rajmata Jijau Homeownership Scheme (stamp duty concessions)
• Savitribai Phule Student Travel Concession Scheme
• Nav Tejaswini Rural Women Entrepreneurship Scheme
• Tejaswini Special Bus Service
• Eight-point Women’s Policy
• Inclusion of mother’s name in official records
• Increase in grant for mass registered marriages
• Purchase of 3,324 ambulances for transporting pregnant women and children
• Creation of 50 new Shakti Sadans (shelter homes)
• Increase in childcare scheme funding
• Honorarium hike for Anganwadi workers
• Establishment of Vatsalya Bhavans in 12 districts
• 3% budget allocation for women and child empowerment in district planning committees
• Formation of a Reserved Women’s Police Battalion

Over ₹4 Crore Disbursed in Loans to Baramati SHGs

This year, SHGs in Baramati Taluka have received loans amounting to ₹3.15 crore, and loan sanction orders exceeding ₹1 crore were distributed at the event. Pawar noted that this is not just a loan but the start of a new journey—enabling the launch of small businesses at the household level, strengthening rural women’s dreams and aspirations, and helping families secure stability through education and entrepreneurship, thereby leading to overall village prosperity.