Agra, March 22: On the occasion of the successful completion of nine years of the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Baby Rani Maurya, the Minister for Women Welfare, Child Development, and Nutrition, addressed a press conference in Agra on Sunday.
She provided a detailed account of her department’s achievements over the past nine years. Maurya emphasized that the Yogi government has expanded women’s and children’s development beyond mere welfare schemes. It has now evolved into a comprehensive model encompassing safety, respect, nutrition, education, self-reliance, and social justice. The cabinet minister asserted that women’s empowerment in Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a slogan; it has become a tangible reality. Women in the state are not just seeking jobs; they are creating new opportunities.
Maurya highlighted that the Yogi government has established a complete framework for the welfare of daughters, from birth to education, safety, and self-sufficiency. Under the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, 2.681 million daughters have benefited. The Chief Minister’s Child Service Scheme has provided protection to over 105,000 orphaned children. Additionally, the Mission Vatsalya initiative has reunited more than 100,000 children with their lost families. This demonstrates that the government views children not merely as statistics but as future citizens.
She noted that the results of the Yogi government’s efforts in nutrition and health are now evident. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana has benefited 6 million mothers, providing financial assistance of ₹1,400 for rural deliveries and ₹1,000 for urban deliveries. The institutional delivery rate has surpassed 84%. There has been a 6.6% improvement in stunting rates and a 7.5% reduction in underweight rates among children aged 0 to 5 years. Over 21.2 million children and women are receiving supplementary nutrition. The ‘Sambhav Abhiyan’ in Anganwadi centers is leveraging technology (nutrition trackers) to combat malnutrition aggressively.
The cabinet minister stated that the Yogi government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding women’s safety has yielded results. The response time for UP-112, which was 1 hour and 5 minutes in 2016, has decreased to just 6 minutes and 41 seconds in 2025. Mission Shakti centers have been established in every police station, leading to a significant drop in crimes against women. Incidents of rape have decreased by 33.92%, kidnappings by 17.03%, and domestic violence by 9.54%. The UP police have reserved 20% of positions for women, resulting in over 44,000 women being part of the police force. Three new women’s PAC battalions have been formed, and anti-Romeo squads have been deployed in every district.
Maurya clarified that true empowerment comes from economic self-reliance. Over 10 million women in UP are associated with self-help groups (SHGs). Under the Lakhpati Didi scheme, more than 1.855 million women have reached the status of lakhpatis. 39,885 BC Sakhi members have facilitated transactions worth ₹42,711 crore, earning dividends of ₹116 crore. Additionally, 15,409 electricity Sakhi members have collected millions in bills and earned commissions. Women are now allowed to work night shifts in industrial sectors. Female labor force participation has increased from 13% in 2017 to 36% now.
At the end of the press conference, Minister Baby Rani Maurya announced that the Yogi government has decided to increase the honorarium for Anganwadi workers and helpers starting April 2026. They will also be linked to life insurance and security schemes. More than 190,000 Anganwadi centers are being upgraded to pre-schools. Under the Chief Minister’s mass marriage scheme, 520,000 daughters have been married off. The Yogi government’s clear intentions, transparent policies, and honest implementation have transformed the lives of half the population in UP. “Safe women, empowered women, self-reliant women” is the strong foundation of today’s new and prosperous Uttar Pradesh.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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