The Ek Bigha Yojana or the One Bigha Yojana is being looked at as an empowerment scheme for women. For the longest time, women found it difficult to find respectful, well-paying jobs. In the absence of such jobs, women in India were forced to be dependent on the earning men of the family, which, on a larger scale, thwarted the growth of the nation.

Acknowledging the benefits of empowering women, the Himachal Pradesh Government has launched the One Bigha scheme which will essentially be linked to the MNREGA scheme. This is to allow women to get employment without hassle.

What is included in the Ek Bigha scheme?

According to this scheme, women will be offered training and be imparted with skills to take on the jobs they desire. Under the scheme, women who belong to self-help groups and are job cardholders will be able to avail of a benefit of ₹1 lakh.

Another major benefit under this scheme is that, as this scheme is interlinked with the MNREGA, all women will be entitled to get employment under the MNREGA scheme.

Grants will also be provided to the women enrolled under this scheme for the purpose of leveling hilly areas, channelizing water, setting up vermin-compost pits, and for purchasing plants and seeds.

Impact of the scheme

According to an economic survey conducted in 2019-20, 447,773 families found employment opportunities under the scheme. The state of Himachal has a network of 2100 bank branches and more than 77% of its branches are now located in rural areas.

Parting thoughts

With such empowering schemes in place, the nation surely walks towards a more progressive and bright future where gender differences are put aside for collective development.

Check out the video for Ek Bigha Yojana 2020