PM Modi launched numerous women-centric schemes: Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, Aug 21: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating several women centric initiatives.

Speaking at the launch of UP's Mission Shakti 3.0 programme, Sitharaman said "when Modi ji became PM, he auctioned all gifts he had received as Gujarat chief minister and donated money for education of girl children. He introduced several women as ministers during recent Cabinet expansion."

"Whether it is Ujjwala scheme, Jan Dhan scheme or the MUDRA scheme, women are given priority in several schemes launched by the Centre," Sitharam said.

The Union finance minister said, "When I was the defence minister, a small beginning was made to admit girls in the UP Sainik School in Lucknow. This opened up the possibility of getting admission to the National Defence Academy, and subsequently becoming a directly commissioned officer in the Army, Navy, Air Force or the Coast Guard."

Addressing women self-help groups, the Union minister said, "The central government gives money for storage facilities in villages. I would request all women SHGs to utilise this opportunity and build a storage facility in villages so that things produced locally can be stored there."

Showering praises on Chief Minister Adityanath for his "energy" and "capacity to work", Sitharaman said, "In five years, he would have visited each district of the state at least 10 times. I congratulate him for making women feel safe in the state, for the overall development, and for law and order."

"In the coming days, UP will move with such speed that the role of women will be clearly visible. Your future is bright, and the coming days are absolutely promising and bright with such a chief minister," she added.