Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said the state will from next year hold the Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav as a fortnight-long market beginning 15 days prior to Raksha Bandhan, a move aimed at expanding sales opportunities for women self‑help groups (SHGs) and enhancing their incomes.
Festival expanded to improve market access
The announcement was made after Dhami inaugurated and inspected stalls set up by women SHGs under the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission at the Secretariat in Dehradun on August 24. The stalls were part of the ongoing Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana, launched in 2023 to ensure quality local products made by women SHGs reach wider markets.
According to the Chief Minister's office, Dhami said that extending the Utsav to begin 15 days before Raksha Bandhan will give women "more time and improved market opportunities" to sell rakhis and other local products. He asked Secretariat officers and employees to support the initiative by purchasing items from the stalls.
Women SHGs welcome the move
Women participating virtually from various districts expressed gratitude for the scheme, noting that government efforts to provide market linkages were enhancing livelihood opportunities and enabling some members to move towards greater financial independence. The Shahdara Road Secretariat event included both in-person and virtual interactions between Dhami and SHG members.
The Chief Minister highlighted the role of Uttarakhand's women in the state's social and economic development, noting their contributions in agriculture, animal husbandry and other livelihood activities. He said many women were emerging as entrepreneurs through their skills and hard work.
Placed in context of central schemes
Dhami referenced a number of national programmes he said were supporting women's welfare and empowerment. These include:
- Ujjwala Yojana
- Jal Jeevan Mission
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- Lakhpati Didi
He said such schemes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership were aimed at improving dignity, safety and economic prospects for women. The Chief Minister framed the Sashakt Bahna Utsav expansion as complementary to these efforts by creating direct market opportunities.
Practical impact and expectations
Officials said the extended Utsav window will allow SHGs additional days to display and sell seasonally in-demand items such as rakhis, handicrafts and other local products commonly purchased in the lead-up to the festival. While concrete targets for sales or participation were not announced, the policy change signals a government intent to strengthen market linkages for producer groups ahead of major festivals.
State administrators will be expected to coordinate logistics, stall allocation and publicity for the fortnight‑long event. Dhami urged administrative support and participation from Secretariat employees as early buyers to boost visibility and sales for women producers.
Background of the scheme
The Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana was launched in 2023 with the stated objective of ensuring that quality local products made by women SHGs reach wider markets. The initiative has so far operated as a shorter market event around Raksha Bandhan; the new directive extends that window and formalises a 15‑day advance start.
| Element | As announced |
|---|---|
| Event name | Mukhyamantri Sashakt Bahna Utsav |
| New duration | 15 days before Raksha Bandhan (fortnight-long) |
| Primary beneficiaries | Women self‑help groups under Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission |
Officials responsible for the Rural Livelihood Mission will need to finalise the calendar, district participation lists and operational guidelines for the expanded event ahead of next year's Raksha Bandhan season.
What the government asks of departments and employees
The Chief Minister asked all relevant departments and Secretariat employees to actively support the initiative by promoting purchases from the stalls, describing such adoption of local products as part of the "Vocal for Local" programme that, he said, would help strengthen the rural economy.
State agencies now face the task of translating the announcement into implementable plans: ensuring equitable stall access for SHGs from different districts, arranging publicity and providing necessary facilities at venue sites. The announcement stops short of committing specific funding or sales guarantees, and the government will publish further operational details in due course.
By expanding the marketplace window ahead of a major festival, the state aims to provide women producers with a longer sales period and improved chances to capitalise on seasonal demand, a move the government says will help increase household incomes among rural women.
