Ministry of Finance

Posted On: 01 FEB 2019 1:13PM by PIB Delhi

An amount of ₹ 1330 Crore has been provided in the Interim Budget for 2019-20 for the Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women. This is an increase of ₹ 174 Crore over the Revised Estimates of 2018-19 for the Mission.

While taking several welfare initiatives for women, the emphasis of the Government has been to move from ‘women’s development’ to ‘women led development’ during the last 4.5 years. While presenting the Interim Budget 2019-20 in Parliament today, the Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs, Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal said that the Government embarked upon the programme to deliver 8 crore free LPG connections under the Ujjawala Yojana. 6 crores connections have already been given and the remaining will get free gas connections by next year. “Ujjwala is a remarkable success story of our Government programme, defined by a bold yet practical Vision of a responsible and compassionate leadership”, the Finance Minister said.

Shri Piyush Goyal further added that More than 70% of the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana are women who are getting affordable and collateral-free loans to start their own businesses.

Highlighting the benefits of Maternity leave of 26 weeks and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana for pregnant women, the Finance Minister said that these initiatives have provided financial support to women while empowering them to participate in work.

*******

GG/DSM/RM/NB/UD

Women empowerment funding increased to support LPG access, collateral-free business loans, and enhanced maternity benefits. The Interim Budget 2019-20 increases funding for the Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women, signalling a policy shift toward women-led development. The Budget highlights expansion of free LPG connections under Ujjwala, predominant female uptake of affordable, collateral-free MUDRA loans to start businesses, and continuation of maternal support measures including extended maternity leave and benefit payments under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.