| Dr. Amritesh Shukla (Assistant Professor) Indira Gandhi Govt.P.G. College Vaishali Nagar, Bhilai, Durg. |
Abstract
Women’s economic empowerment has emerged as a central concern in contemporary development discourse, particularly in developing countries where gender disparities in income, employment, and decision-making persist. Governments increasingly use welfare programs and direct benefit transfer mechanisms to enhance women’s financial autonomy and social status. In this context, the Government of Chhattisgarh launched the Mahatari Vandan Yojana (MVY) in March 2024 to provide financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month to eligible married women through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The scheme aims to improve women’s economic independence, enhance financial inclusion, and strengthen household welfare. This study examines the role of Mahatari Vandan Yojana in promoting economic empowerment among women in Chhattisgarh. The research is based on secondary data collected from government reports, budget documents, and scholarly literature on women’s empowerment and social welfare policies. The study analyses beneficiary coverage, financial allocation, and the socio-economic impact of the scheme using descriptive statistics and simple regression analysis. The findings indicate that the scheme has significantly improved women’s access to financial resources, increased their participation in household decision-making, and strengthened financial inclusion among rural and marginalized communities. With more than 68 lakh beneficiaries and substantial financial transfers exceeding ₹15,000 crore, the scheme has emerged as a major gender-focused welfare initiative in the state. However, the study also highlights challenges related to fiscal
sustainability, beneficiary verification, and the need for complementary policies such as skill development and employment generation. The paper concludes that while Mahatari Vandan Yojana has made a significant contribution toward women’s economic empowerment, its long-term success depends on integration with broader developmental strategies aimed at enhancing women’s capabilities and economic opportunities.