Lucknow, September 20: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ambitious “Mission Shakti-5.0” campaign, focused on women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance, at the Lok Bhavan auditorium on Saturday. In his address, he stated, “While daughters were once unsafe, today they are confidently forging their own path.” He underscored that ensuring women’s respect is a primary goal of his government and pointed out the remarkable changes in the status of women in Uttar Pradesh since 2017. He asserted, “When the government’s intentions are clear, schemes naturally find their way.” During the event, the Chief Minister activated Mission Shakti Centres in all 1,647 police stations across the state.
He also released the centers’ SOP manuals, informational booklets, and the “Sashakt Nari, Samradh Pradesh” folder. Ministers and officials from various districts participated in this significant moment via video conferencing. Expressing pride in the launch of the campaign’s fifth phase, CM Yogi reflected on the initial uncertainties surrounding Mission Shakti, which started in 2020. However, with its emphasis on women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance, the campaign has achieved notable success.
He remarked, “Mission Shakti has shown women the path to safety, respect, and independence, and today its positive outcomes are visible everywhere.” The Chief Minister highlighted the increasing representation of women in the police force, noting that the number of women police personnel in Uttar Pradesh has grown from 10,000 at independence to over 44,000 since 2017. He stated that 20% women’s participation is now mandatory in every recruitment, with timely training provided. In the recent recruitment of 60,200 police personnel, over 12,000 women joined and are currently in training. He also emphasized the success of “Mission Rojgar,” noting that police training capacity has expanded from just 3,000 before 2017 to over 60,000 now.
CM Yogi further mentioned that recruitment of women is being promoted across education and other sectors as well. Training, which was once a hurdle, has become a solid foundation for empowerment, with over 60,200 police personnel receiving training in the state. The Chief Minister also addressed improvements in school education, stating, “More than 16 million children are currently studying under the Basic Education Council.
Before 2017, 70–75% of girls attended school barefoot and in worn-out clothes.” He shared a poignant incident from Bundelkhand, where a young girl expressed her disappointment about receiving shoes only for her brother, which inspired reforms ensuring that every child receives two uniforms, a school bag, books, shoes, socks, and sweaters, with benefits amounting to ₹1,200 per child. CM Yogi highlighted the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, which provides a financial package of ₹25,000 for every daughter from birth to graduation, including ₹5,000 at birth, ₹2,000 after vaccination at one year, ₹3,000 each in the first and sixth grades, ₹5,000 in the ninth grade, and ₹7,000 upon passing class 12. More than 26 lakh daughters have benefited from this scheme.
Similarly, under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, financial assistance of ₹1 lakh is available for each daughter’s marriage. He noted that these schemes, now free from discrimination, have set a historic benchmark for women’s empowerment in the state. The Chief Minister emphasized that both central and state government initiatives—such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Fit India Movement, Swachh Bharat Mission (12 crore toilets), and Ujjwala Yojana (10 crore connections)—have transformed women’s lives, liberating them from health hazards like smoke-filled kitchens and ensuring their dignity. “Healthy women build strong families,” he remarked, stressing that initiatives like Ayushman Bharat (benefitting 50 crore people) and free rations for 80 crore citizens are directly linked to women’s dignity.
He pointed out that many women in households have to mortgage their jewelry during illnesses, highlighting the significance of welfare programs. He informed that in Uttar Pradesh alone, over 1 crore women have been added to 3 crore rural land records, and housing has been provided to 60 lakh poor families. The state is now implementing a women-centric approach in every welfare scheme. CM Yogi also mentioned the Banking Correspondent Sakhi Scheme, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, where over 40,000 women manage transactions worth thousands of crores, earning their livelihoods. He recalled how the previous Nutrition Mission faced corruption issues led by contractors, but now 60,000 women earn ₹8,000 monthly through 204 take-home ration plants, benefiting two crore women.
“When the government’s intentions are clear, schemes succeed on their own,” he reiterated. Regarding women’s safety, the Chief Minister shared that from January 1, 2024, to the financial year 2024-25, 12,271 criminals were convicted in 9,513 cases, including 12 death sentences and 987 life imprisonments. Relating to a Bareilly incident, he described how criminals from outside the state attempted to threaten women’s safety but, after prompt police action, acknowledged, “I came to Uttar Pradesh by mistake and will never repeat this.” He indicated this serves as a warning to all criminals.
On this occasion, CM Yogi also released the “Sashakt Nari, Samradh Pradesh” folder under Mission Shakti, highlighting various helplines for women’s safety—1090, 181, 112, 1930, 1076, 102, 101, 108, and 1098. He announced that Mission Shakti centres and women beat officers will be established in every police station. A bike rally is scheduled for September 21, and security measures will be enhanced at temples during Navratri. He mentioned that folders will be distributed in schools and colleges, and the mission will initially run for one month, with a possibility of extension for three months. Programs will also honor outstanding women and personnel. CM Yogi instructed all departments to ensure coordination, accountability, and a special focus on safety during festivals.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Women Welfare and Child Development Minister Baby Rani Maurya, Mayor Sushma Kharwal, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, MLC Dr. Mahendra Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Krishna, along with numerous administrative and police officials.