The usage of social media has been growing in the country. At the same time, some people are using it to spread fake news. Many believe them without checking the accuracy of the information and share it with their friends and other groups.  As a result, these rumours are spreading like wildfire. Thus, the fake news is going viral, which makes the situation worse.

One YouTube video that went viral claimed that the central government was giving cash of ₹2,20,000 to all women in the country. The video said that the Modi government decided to deposit the above amount directly into the bank accounts of all women under Pradhan Mantri Nari Shakti Yojana.

It also said that women get can a loan of up to ₹25 lakhs without any collateral or security under the scheme. Many people believed it and shared the news in their groups. The video has been spreading on social media for the last year. However, the news was fake. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) stated that it was wrong information and the video was fake.

It also said that there was no such scheme with the name Pradhan Mantri Nari Shakti Yojna. PIB also warned all people to be aware of such fake news and do not fall prey to them. If anyone falls prey to such messages, there will be a chance of losing their own money and vital personal information.

Actually, there is a scheme for rural women, Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra (PMMSK). The central government launched it in 2017. The scheme aims to empower rural women through community participation.

The central government establishes these centres across the country to educate women about their rights related to health and other fields. The scheme also helps women improve their literacy, skills, digital knowledge and employment.

Image Credit: McKay Savage from London, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Source: India – Faces – Rural women driving their own change 1

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:India_-_Faces_-_Rural_women_driving_their_own_change_1_(2229752965).jpg