CMO takes control of women empowerment mission to be run by NCP-held ministry

The programme called “Mukhyamantri Mahila Sashaktikaran Abhiyan” (Chief Minister Women Empowerment Mission) was initially to be run by the Women and Child Welfare Department in a bid to promote women empowerment. It was, however, put on hold by the Maharashtra government on September 20 over alleged differences between the two allies the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and CM Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.

On October 6, the stay was lifted with CMO’s Public welfare cell being given the responsibility to coordinate the mission.

Earlier it was the minister who had the responsibility to control the mission. In the new decision, a committee headed by Chief Minister will be formed where representatives of several departments, NGOs, Bank officials, chamber of commerce etc. An IAS official from the CMO will be coordinating the mission.

The minister has now only been reduced to reporting to the chief minister and deputy chief ministers.
In addition, around 15 activities have been planned under the mission where several other departments such as Rural Development department, Urban Development department, Skill Development department, Social Justice department and Industries department will be included.

The duration of the said mission is from October 2, 2023, to October 1, 2024. The program would have brought all schemes and policies of the state and the Union governments relating to the socio-economic development of women onto a single platform.

The aim is to link one crore women from self help groups and Shakti Groups where the target is 2.5 lakh women from every district. Around 10 lakh women will be given skill and employment training.

On the lines of ‘Shasan Aplya Dari’ programme of the chief minister is attending mass programs where benefits of government schemes are being delivered to beneficiaries, district collectors have been asked to organise two-day long district and tehsil level programs.