Lakhpati Didis join talks on implementation of Budget schemes

IANS April 5, 2025 149 views

The Ministry of Rural Development has organized a strategic webinar bringing together Lakhpati Didis to discuss implementation of Budget schemes for rural women's economic empowerment. They launched a digital entrepreneurship planning tool and a dedicated helpline to support women in achieving financial independence. The initiative is part of the broader Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission, which has already mobilized over 10 crore rural women into self-help groups. This comprehensive approach aims to transform rural women's economic potential through targeted support and innovative digital resources.

"State partnerships are crucial in advancing rural prosperity and resilience" - Shailesh Kumar Singh, Rural Development Secretary
New Delhi, April 5: Aiming to collaborate on the implementation of the Budget 2025-26 announcements, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organised a webinar bringing together inspiring Lakhpati Didis and representatives from State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), an official said on Saturday.

Key Points

1

Ministry launches digital entrepreneurship tool for self-help group women

2

Toll-free helpline introduced to support Lakhpati Didis

3

10.05 crore rural women mobilized into self-help groups

4

Rs 10.20 lakh crore bank credit accessed by women SHGs

Participants shared insights and strategies to empower more self-help group (SHG) women to achieve financial independence and success, he said.

The consultation revolved around four critical pillars of rural prosperity: Infrastructure, finance, marketing, and skill development, said the official.

Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasised the importance of State partnerships in advancing the rural prosperity and resilience programme.

T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, provided a detailed outline for the interaction, setting the tone for constructive discussions held on Friday.

As part of its commitment to empowering rural women, MoRD also launched the Entrepreneurship Planning Digital Tool (EPDT), designed to support aspiring Lakhpati Didis in crafting effective business plans, said a statement.

Developed by LoKOS, the tool simplifies data entry for SHG members, tracks entrepreneurial progress, and offers necessary guidance, making it a key resource for fostering entrepreneurship.

Additionally, a toll-free number — 0120-5202521 — was introduced to assist women with queries related to becoming Lakhpati Didis. Available Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (excluding National Holidays), the helpline aims to provide timely and effective support.

The Ministry is implementing Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY – NRLM) across the country (except Delhi and Chandigarh) with the objective of organising the rural poor women households into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and continuously nurturing and supporting them till they attain appreciable increase in income over a period of time and improve their quality of life and come out of abject poverty.

As of February 28, 2025, the Mission is being implemented in 7,144 blocks in 745 districts across 28 States and six UTs. Cumulatively, 10.05 crore rural women households have been mobilised into more than 90.90 lakh SHGs.

A total of Rs 51,368.39 crore of capitalisation support (Revolving Funds and Community Investment Funds) has been provided to SHGs and their federations.

From FY 2013-14, an amount of Rs 10.20 lakh crore bank credit has been accessed by women SHGs under DAY-NRLM, as per official data.

Reader Comments

P
Priya M.
This is such an empowering initiative! 👏 The digital tool and helpline will make a huge difference for rural women entrepreneurs. My aunt in Rajasthan joined an SHG last year and her confidence has grown so much!
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Rahul K.
While I appreciate the government's efforts, I hope they ensure equal access to these resources across all states. Some remote areas still lack proper internet connectivity which might limit the digital tool's effectiveness.
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Sunita P.
As someone who works with SHGs in Maharashtra, I've seen firsthand how transformative these programs can be. The revolving funds have helped so many women start small businesses. More power to our Lakhpati Didis! 💪
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Amit S.
The numbers are impressive - 10 crore women mobilized! But I'm curious about the success rate. How many of these SHGs have actually become sustainable businesses? Would love to see some case studies.
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Neha T.
The toll-free number is a great addition! Sometimes women hesitate to ask questions in group settings. Having a private helpline will encourage more participation. Hope they have enough staff to handle the calls!
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Vikram J.
Focus on all four pillars - infrastructure, finance, marketing AND skills - is crucial. Many programs fail by only addressing one aspect. This holistic approach could be a game changer for rural economies.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Lakhpati Didis Rural Development Women Empowerment Entrepreneurship Self-Help Groups Ministry of Rural Development Budget 2025-26
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