Will Rajasthan Get Working Women Hostels in All 41 Districts Under Rs 165 Crore Central Scheme?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Empowerment for women through safe living spaces.
- Funding of Rs 165.32 crore allocated for hostels.
- Hostels to be built in 41 districts of Rajasthan.
- Creation of 2,550 beds for working women.
- Part of a broader “Women-led Development” strategy.
New Delhi, July 25 (NationPress) In an effort to empower women and enhance their workforce participation, the Central Government has introduced a significant infrastructure project aimed at establishing Working Women Hostels (WWHs) throughout all 41 districts in Rajasthan, as part of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
In response to a “starred question” posed by MP Harish Chandra Meena in the Lok Sabha, Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, confirmed that the Ministry is collaborating with the Rajasthan State Government to launch these hostels, designed to provide safe, secure, and affordable living accommodations for women currently working or looking to join the workforce. The Ministry of Finance allocated Rs 5,000 crore in August 2024 to 28 states under Part X of the SASCI scheme, specifically designated for the construction of WWHs.
For this initiative, Rajasthan has been allocated Rs 202 crore. The State Government has put forth proposals for hostel construction across all 41 districts, with a total estimated cost of Rs 165.32 crore, including provisions for hostels in Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts. In Tonk, a 50-bed hostel is proposed at Sonwa with a budget of Rs 3.59 crore, and Sawai Madhopur will see a similar facility at Alanpur. Both proposals have received approval from the central Department of Expenditure, with the first installment of Rs 109.11 crore already disbursed for the financial year 2024-25.
To facilitate swift implementation, the Rajasthan government has earmarked roughly 1,500 square meters of land for each district's hostel project. Administrative and financial approvals, amounting to Rs 3.59 crore per hostel in Tonk and Sawai Madhopur, were issued on May 13, 2025, followed by Notice Inviting Tenders (NIT) on June 16, 2025.
The hostel initiative encompasses important urban centers like Jaipur, Kota, and Jodhpur, each slated for 100-bed hostels, while the majority of other districts will receive 50-bed facilities. The project aims to create 2,550 beds across Rajasthan, marking a crucial enhancement in supportive infrastructure for professional women.
This WWH scheme forms part of the government's wider strategy for “Women-led Development,” aligning welfare infrastructure with economic inclusion and labor force strengthening. It is anticipated to significantly impact women's mobility and financial independence, particularly in Tier II and rural districts.