Regional Variations in PM-SVANidhi Scheme

_{Image Credit: The Indian Express}

As the PM-SVANidhi (PM Street Vendors’ AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme marks its three-year anniversary, data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs reveals that women constitute about 41% of the beneficiaries. However, regional disparities in women’s participation are evident, with southern states showing higher rates compared to their northern counterparts.

Southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have a majority of women beneficiaries, comprising 70%, 66%, 64%, and 50%, respectively. Kerala stands as an exception, but the state has long been a trailblazer in empowering women through programs like Kudumbashree, which recently completed 25 years.

Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka together account for 580,956 women beneficiaries, representing nearly 39% of the total 1,502,597 women beneficiaries nationwide. Northeastern states also demonstrate a higher percentage of women beneficiaries, although the total number of beneficiaries in those states is relatively small.

In northern states, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, both governed by the BJP, have the highest number of beneficiaries overall, with 9.60 lakh and 5.41 lakh street vendors, respectively. Although the percentage of women beneficiaries is lower in these states at 32% each, the absolute numbers reach 4.82 lakh. Conversely, Bihar and Rajasthan, governed by opposition parties, show lower percentages of women beneficiaries.

The composition of beneficiaries is influenced by various factors, including social fabric and targeting strategies implemented by local authorities. Women’s self-help groups were targeted in some states, contributing to their higher representation. However, the greater number of women beneficiaries does not necessarily indicate a higher number of women street vendors in those states.

Overall, while the PM-SVANidhi scheme has achieved considerable participation from women, regional disparities call for continued efforts to ensure inclusivity and empower street vendors across the country.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Indian Express