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Lakhpati Didi Scheme helped over 1 crore women get income of Rs 1 lakh per annum: M/o Rural Development on MP Satnam Sandhu's question
‘Lakhpati Didis’ Transforming Rural Economy, Scripting New Chapters of Success, says Rajya Sabha Member Satnam Singh Sandhu
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, August 9, 2024 – The Lakhpati Didi Scheme has helped over one crore women get an annual income of over Rs 1 Lakh, the Union Ministry of Rural Development informed Parliament on Friday on a question asked by Rajya Sabha Member, Satnam Singh Sandhu.
In replying to Sandhu’s question on the implementation of Lakhpati Didi Scheme, Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chauhan said under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) scheme of the Ministry, 10.05 crore women have been mobilized into 90.86 Lakhs Self Help Groups (SHGs). Out of these SHG members, more than one crore SHG members are Lakhpati Didis ((prosperous sisters) as they have an annual income of more than Rs 1 Lakh.
The Minister said more than 99.13 Lakh women belonging to minority communities are members of SHGs.
As per the figures provided by the ministry, 79,85,836 Muslim women, 11,57,869 Christian women, 2,08,313 Sikh women, 5,48,422 Buddhist women, 9,385 women from the Jain community and 4,054 women from Parsi community are part of SHGs and will benefit from the Lakhpati Didi Scheme.
He said there are 10,80,107 Minority SHGs in which more than 50% members from the minority community. The Minister said under DAY-NRLM scheme, loan amount of Rs 9,00,236.95 Crore has been disbursed. Capitalisation support (revolving fund and community investment fund) of Rs 43,610.64 Crore has been provided to SHGs under the scheme.
On the response given by the Union Ministry, Rajya Sabha Member, Satnam Singh Sandhu said it’s apparent from the figures provided by the Union Ministry that more than 90 Lakh Self-Help Groups with 10 crore women members are transforming rural socio-economic landscape with empowerment and self-reliance.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s vision is to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis in villages. I have always heard PM Modi say that the confidence of our mothers and sisters will make our nation self-reliant. Lakhpati Didi Yojana is becoming a big medium to empower women across the country. Women associated with Self Help Groups are proving to be a strong link in building a developed India. The success of SHGs has assisted nearly one crore women to become Lakhpati Didis who are scripting new chapters of success. These women once considered un-bankable’ but now are the ‘Lakhpatis ‘which is a true example of women-led development. The scheme has been instrumental in changing the face of rural India,” Sandhu said.
“I am happy to note that nearly one crore women from six minority communities including Muslims, Christians, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi communities are associated with Self Help Groups and are moving towards becoming Lakhpati Didi,” he added.
In his question, Rajya Sabha Member Satnam Singh Sandhu had sought details on the number of LakhpatiDidis in the country, outcomes achieved under the Lakhpati Didi initiative of government since its inception and details of Lakhpati Didi from minority communities benefitted under the scheme.
Launched by the Narendra Modi government in December 2023, the Lakhpati Didi Yojana aims to create three crore 'lakhpati didis' (prosperous sisters) in villages across India by providing them with tools through skill development programme to become financially self-reliant.
It is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The scheme encourages women to join self-help groups such as Anganwadi didi, bank wali didi, and medicine wali didi, offering them the tools to become financially self-reliant so that they can earn a sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum per household.
The primary goal of this scheme is to support economically disadvantaged women, providing them with a loan of Rs 5 lakh without interest. By doing so, the scheme empowers women to initiate and grow their businesses, breaking free from financial constraints. The government aims to create three crore 'lakhpati didis' (prosperous sisters) in villages across India.
The scheme gained prominence for offering loans to eligible women, conducting monthly camps to disburse loans, especially to those with lower incomes. In addition, extensive training sessions ensure that women acquire the necessary skills for business endeavors, contributing to their economic growth.