Maharashtra survey identifies 54L single women for policy, figure may rise to 75L

PUNE: Minister of state for women and child welfare Meghana Sakore-Bordikar on Tuesday said the number of single women identified as such was pegged around 54 lakh now, but may rise to 75 lakh once updated figures are received from districts in the ongoing survey for a proposed policy for the said segment of the society.

The policy is expected to cover a far larger population than initially estimated. Sakore-Bordikar chaired a review meeting and said that while the response to the survey was satisfactory in rural areas and district-wise rough figures had emerged, participation in urban regions had remained poor — leading to concerns of under-reporting.

The minister directed district collectors across Maharashtra to revisit the data collection exercise and submit corrected and updated figures within the next two months. She said the final policy framework for single women would be prepared after receiving the revised district-wise data.

Officials said the policy aims to address the social, economic and welfare-related challenges faced by single women, including widows, divorced, deserted and unmarried women living independently.

Sakore-Bordikar said a comprehensive and result-oriented framework could be prepared only through a detailed study and accurate data collection. She instructed officials to utilise existing govt survey data, while simultaneously conducting a dedicated statewide exercise to better understand the concerns of single women.

The minister also called for expansion of the committee working on the policy, noting that issues concerning single women are linked to nearly 14 govt departments. She directed officials to convene a joint meeting of all related departments to ensure coordinated implementation once the policy is finalised.

Sakore-Bordikar said the policy should ensure that single women receive easier access to govt schemes and support mechanisms, and concrete measures are introduced for their empowerment. Inter-departmental coordination would be crucial for effective implementation of the proposed framework.

"We want to ensure that no beneficiary is left out and their numbers are adequately represented," said the minister.