Meghalaya’s Gender Budget Sees Record 25% Increase, Allocations Reach ₹6,219 Crore
In a significant move to bolster efforts towards gender equality, the Meghalaya government has boosted its gender budget by 25% to ₹6,219 crore for the current financial year, marking the largest increase yet. This significant allocation, now equivalent to almost 20% of the state’s total budget, underscores the administration’s commitment to promoting women’s empowerment and social change.
The dedicated gender budget, introduced in 2022 by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has played a crucial role in enhancing various aspects of women’s lives in the state. A notable focus area is the allocation of ₹100 crore to strengthen self-help groups (SHGs), village organizations, and cluster-level federations, aimed at helping rural women achieve financial independence and develop entrepreneurial skills. The Pla Tangka Cooperative Society will provide credit support to SHG women, enabling them to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
To support women entering the workforce, the state government will construct four working women’s hostels with a combined capacity of 1,000 beds in New Shillong, Tura, Jowai, and Byrnihat. These hostels will feature childcare facilities, providing a safe and secure environment for mothers to leave their children while pursuing employment or education opportunities.
The 25% increase in Meghalaya’s gender budget is notable, not only for the state but also in the context of the Northeast region. While Odisha’s Subhadra Yojana saw a 30% increase in allocations this year, Tamil Nadu hiked its package for women entrepreneurs by 28% to ₹3,500 crore. On the national stage, the Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹4.49 lakh crore for gender-focused initiatives, a 37.25% increase from the previous year, accounting for 8.86% of the total Union Budget.
This significant investment in gender equality underscores the importance of allocating resources to address the social and economic challenges faced by women. As the state government continues to prioritize gender equality, these substantial allocations will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of women in Meghalaya and beyond.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/03/09/25-per-cent-hike-in-budget-to-boost-womens-welfare/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2025-03-09 02:20:00
