Recently the Prime Minister of India (PM) attended the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Maharashtra, an important event focused on empowering rural women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Salient features of Lakhpati Didi Conference:
Certificates and Felicitation:
The Prime Minister distributed certificates and felicitated 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis who had recently become Lakhpati during the third term of the present government.
Financial Disbursement:
A revolving fund of Rs.2,500 crore has been released, benefiting about 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh SHGs.
In addition, bank loans worth Rs 5,000 crore have been disbursed to benefit 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs.
Cultural and economic significance:
The Prime Minister emphasized the important role of women in the rural economy and their contribution to India’s rise as the third largest global economy within three years and highlighted the shift from historical neglect to recent initiatives aimed at reducing their burden.
Lakhpati Didi:
“Lakhpati Didi” is a member of a self-help group who has successfully achieved an annual household income of one lakh rupees or more.
This income persists for at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles, ensuring that the average monthly income is more than Rs. ten thousand rupees.
It was launched by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) wherein every SHG household is encouraged to adopt multiple livelihood activities along with value chain interventions resulting in sustainable income of Rs 1,00,000 or more per annum.
Objectives:
The initiative aims to not only empower women by improving their income, but also transform their lives through sustainable livelihood practices.
These women serve as role models in their communities and demonstrate the power of effective resource management and entrepreneurship.
The strategy:
A variety of living options:
The initiative focuses on deepening, strengthening and expanding livelihood options for the SHG members.
Trained community resource persons assist in livelihood planning for SHG members by using digital tools for resource linkage.
Implementation support:
The SHG members receive timely support in the form of assets (inputs, equipment, infrastructure), skills (knowledge and practical skills), access to finance (bank linkages, departmental schemes) and market access (branding, packaging, e-commerce).
Capacity Building:
Regular and structured training programmes on various aspects of livelihood activities are provided to mission staff, community institutions and SHG members.
Collaboration and collaboration:
The initiative leverages convergence with various government schemes and partnerships with private sector players to mobilize technical, financial and capacity building resources.
Ministry
Convergence Schemes
Ministry of Rural Development, (MoRD)
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs)
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW)
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
National Bamboo Mission
National Mission on Honey Beekeeping
Promotion of Millet
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
10,000 FPOs
Agriculture Infra Fund (AIF)
Appointment of Community
Resource Persons (CRPs) as Extension Agents for Natural Farming and Service Delivery etc.
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD)
Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP)
National Livestock Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Fund,
Rashtriya Gokul Mission, etc.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME)
Department of Fisheries
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Scheme of Fund for Revival of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)
Achievements:
One crore woman has already been made Lakhpati Didi since the launch of Lakhpati Didi Yojana in 2023. Recognizing the success of 83 lakh SHGs with 9 crore women transforming the rural socio-economic landscape, the government has announced to increase the target of Lakhpati Didi from 2 crore to 3 crore.
More than Rs 6000 crore disbursed to lakhs of women self-help groups across India.
