UK CM Ekl Mahila Swarojgar — Single Women Loans

What is Mukhyamantri Ekl Mahila Swarojgar Yojana?

Mukhyamantri Ekl Mahila Swarojgar Yojana is Uttarakhand's targeted self-employment scheme exclusively for single women — widows, divorced women, abandoned women, and never-married women — who are economically vulnerable and need financial support to start their own livelihood.

The scheme provides an interest-free loan of ₹1 lakh without requiring collateral (property pledge), making it accessible to women who typically have no assets.

Key Benefits

Who is Eligible?

• Single woman as defined:
  • Widow (husband deceased)
  • Divorced woman
  • Abandoned or separated woman (without support)
  • Unmarried woman (never married) above 35 years with no support
• Uttarakhand resident (domicile)
• Age: 18 to 50 years
• Annual family income below ₹72,000 (₹6,000/month)
• Not a government employee

Business Types Eligible

The loan can be used for:

• Sewing/tailoring shop
• Beauty parlour
• Grocery/kirana store
• Vegetable/fruit vending
• Food processing (pickles, bakery, dairy)
• Animal husbandry (goat, poultry)
• Handicrafts (wood craft, knitting, weaving)
• Any legitimate self-employment activity

Documents Required

1. Aadhaar card
2. Domicile certificate (Uttarakhand Mul Niwas)
3. Single woman status proof:
   • Widow: Husband's death certificate
   • Divorced: Divorce decree
   • Abandoned: Self-declaration + BDO certification
4. Income certificate (from Tehsildar/Patwari — income < ₹72,000/year)
5. Age proof
6. Bank account details (Aadhaar-linked)
7. Business plan (brief — 1 page describing the proposed activity)

How to Apply

Step 1 — Contact WECD / CDO Office

Visit the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in your block or the District Women Empowerment Officer and request the Ekl Mahila Swarojgar Yojana application form.

Step 2 — Fill and Submit Application

Fill the form with personal and business details. Attach all required documents.

Step 3 — Verification

• BDO / Tehsildar verifies single woman status and income
• CDPO/WECD officer recommends the loan

Step 4 — Loan Disbursement

Loan disbursed through empanelled bank directly to the applicant's account. No interest charged. Monthly repayment starts 3 months after disbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My husband has been gone for 10 years with no contact. Am I considered abandoned?

Yes. Abandoned/deserted women qualify. You need a self-declaration of abandonment and a certification from the BDO (Block Development Officer) confirming your single status.

2. I am 55 years old and a widow. Am I too old to apply?

The upper age limit is 50 years for most applicants. At 55, you may not be eligible for this specific scheme. However, you may qualify for the Uttarakhand widow pension scheme. Ask the WECD office about available alternatives.

3. Do I have to have a business plan before applying?

A brief business plan (1 page) describing your planned activity is needed. WECD offices and anganwadi supervisors can help you write a simple plan if needed.

4. Is the loan from a government fund or bank?

The government provides the funds through empanelled banks (typically cooperative banks or nationalized banks). The bank disburses the loan; government ensures interest-free treatment and covers the interest subsidy.

5. Can I apply for both this scheme and Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana?

The standard Swarojgar Yojana and this Ekl Mahila scheme are separate. You may not be able to claim both simultaneously. Ekl Mahila is specifically for single women with smaller loan needs (₹1 lakh vs ₹5-10 lakh for Swarojgar Yojana). Discuss with the DIC/WECD office.

Official Links