MP Satnam Sandhu announces MPLAD funds for Skill Centre in Dera Bassi
Dera Bassi & Lalru to Be Developed as Hub for Women Empowerment in Punjab through Self-Help Groups, says MP Satnam Singh Sandhu
Babushahi Bureau
Dera Bassi (Punjab), April 26, 2026: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu interacted with about 500 women from about 60 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Punjab who have achieved success under various initiatives like Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi taken under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY–NRLM), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for improving the livelihoods of poor rural households in country.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu along with Bharatita Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson & former Punjab Agro Industries vice-chairman Manpreet Singh Bunny Sandhu and Jagdeep Singh Aujala, Mandal in-charge BJP Dera Bassi, also visited product stalls set up by SHG women in Dera Bassi and Lalru and appreciated their hard work and dedication.
All the stalls presented Punjab specific products rooted in local traditions and artisanal skills including Phulkari, Suits, Juttis, Honey, Pickles, Squash, Vinegar, Oils, Masalas, Papad, Soaps, Candles etc.
On the occasion, women of SHGs, many of whom have benefitted from Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi initiatives, shared their experiences and success stories. Many women recounted how they once had no source of income, but after joining self-help groups and taking advantage of government schemes like Lakhpati Didi they are now empowered not only supporting their families but also providing employment to other women.
Sharing their experiences, women said the Union government’s Lakhpati Didis, Drone Didis initiatives have brought a positive transformation in their lives by not only provided economic stability but also enhanced their social standing. They said such initiative taken by the Union government have not only facilitated direct market access for SHG products but also sparked a greater movement for self-sufficiency, economic upliftment, and gender empowerment in rural communities.
Members of SHGs said earlier middlemen used dupe them but now Union government has facilitated loans without guarantee to SHGs which has helped them in achieving financial independence and build sustainable livelihoods.
Women said Union government’s Lakhpati Didis, Drone Didis initiatives are playing a vital role in creating self-employment opportunities for women through agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, poultry farming, mushroom cultivation, food processing, and small-scale industries.
Lakhpati Didis, Drone Didis Initiatives Playing Key Role in Social & Economic Empowerment of Women, says MP Satnam Singh Sandhu
Appreciating the contribution of Union government’s Lakhpati Didis, Drone Didis initiatives in women’s empowerment, MP Sandhu said, “Indian women have made a big contribution during the Independence struggle and developing the economy even after the Independence. Recognising their efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given women due respect and participation in nation-building during the last 12 years. Scheme likes Lakhpati Didi and Drone Didi have become game changer in developing the rural economy and women empowerment. PM had set a target of 3 crore Lakhpati Didis (earning over Rs 1 lakh annually) of which 2.9 crore Didis including 3,24,811 women in Punjab have already become Lakhpati Didis. Likewise the NaMo Drone Didi scheme is empowering rural women by equipping selected Women SHGs with drones to provide rental services to farming and creating sustainable income opportunities. At the national level, 1,094 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been provided with Drones through LFCs, along with training of women SHG members as drone pilots. Punjab accounts for 57 SHGs, with an equal number of women members trained as drone pilots, reflecting the state’s contribution to technology-driven livelihood initiatives,”.
On the request of SHG Women from Dera Bassi, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Assures to Take Up Matter of Starting of Public Transportation and Establishing SHE Mart in Chandigarh With UT Administration
Acknowledging concerns raised by the SHG women, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said Dera Bassi and Lalru will be developed as a hub for Self-Help Groups. “Dera Bassi and Lalru will serve as focal points for Union government efforts on women’s empowerment in Punjab,” he said.
MP Sandhu announced to hold talks with public transporters, Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU), to facilitate the stoppage of buses at Derasbassi and Lalru for easy access to Chandigarh markets to sell their products especially for women and girls. He also announced organization of Self Help Groups crafts mela to be held at the campus of Chandigarh University where SHGs can sell their products on the lines of SARAS Mela.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu also announced facilitation of funds from Union government to establish community-owned retail outlet SHE Mart (Self-Help Entrepreneur Mart) for the products of self help groups in Chandigarh in consultation with Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu asked Manpreet Singh Bunny Sandhu to search for a suitable land for establishing a Skill Training Centre for women of Dera Bassi. MP Sandhu announced funds from his MPLADs and funds from Central government for this Skill Training Centre at Dera Bassi.
MP Sandhu, who is also the Chancellor of Chandigarh University, also announced help for training the trainers program and announced any support to train these trainers at Chandigarh University, so that these trainers can further train the women of Dera Bassi and Lalru.
Some Success Stories of Lakhpati Didis and Self-Help Groups in Punjab
A Lakhpati Didi, Charanjit Kaur, said, “I hail from SAS Nagar, Mohali. My group is named 'Sheetla Aajeevika SHG and our group has income of about Rs 15 lakh per year. I would like to express my gratitude to the Union government for connecting us with the SHG group. I have been associated with this self-help group for at least six to seven years. Through these groups established by the government in our villages—such as ours—women residing in rural areas are gaining access to employment opportunities. In my village, women are engaged in crafting Phulkari embroidery and traditional Punjabi jutti footwear, working right from the comfort of their homes. I have been about 15 states to sell my products through SARAS Melas and our work is further expanding into new areas. The income earned from this has helped me in sending my son for further education in Canada,”.
A member of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’ self-help group, Monia said, “ I am from Dera Bassi. We make products for health care and women hygiene. We have eight members in our SHG in Lalru. We started this SHG just one-and-half-year back and we have got our first funding through the Lakhpati Didi scheme. The products made by our SHG generate about Rs 10,000 income for the each member. We also visit schools and colleges for creating awareness about Menstrual health care. We are really thankful to Union government for making women like us self-reliant through the Lakhpati Didi intiaitive,” .
Praising the Union government for the Lakhpati Didi initiative, Saroj Rani, a member of Nari Shakti self-help group in Dera Bassi said, “Our SHG has 20 members and we sell Punjabi Jutti (a traditional footwear) for about six years now. With the help of Union government, we have also sold put products in about 12 SARAS Melas in many states. Members of group have already become Lakhpati Didis. We have got guarantee free government loan thrice and it has helped us in expanding our business. We have also been felicitated by the government for our work. This recognition has further boosted our morale for doing even better,”.
Dimple, a member of Desmesh Aajeevika SHG in Dera Bassi, said, “Our SHG was formed about three years back. We prepare decoration material and tailoring items for sale. I have also applied for training under the Drone Didi scheme and getting trained for operating a drone. We have got government loan under the Lakhpari Didi scheme two times which has helped us in doubling our business and sale of our products has doubled. All this was not possible for us without the Union government support,”.