Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday inaugurated the National Conclave on Financial Inclusion, titled ‘Anubhuti’, in Miramar. The three-day event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, and the Goa State Rural Livelihoods Mission (GSRLM), aims to deliberate on empowering women through grassroots financial initiatives.
The gathering drew participation from rural development officials, policy experts and stakeholders from across India, all united by a common goal—accelerating women-led economic transformation.
Addressing the inaugural session, Sawant lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of fostering women-led growth through a series of impactful schemes. “The mission to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis is changing lives and turning rural women into entrepreneurs and decision makers,” he said, crediting national schemes such as PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, Ujjwala, Nal Se Jal, Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Awas Yojana, Mudra, and Swanidhi for driving this shift.
He said this movement was not just enhancing women’s financial independence but also promoting their role in shaping local economies.
CM Sawant On Goa’s Role in Strengthening Women’s Economic Participation
Sawant outlined Goa’s strides in supporting self-help groups (SHGs), noting that the state currently boasts over 3,250 SHGs with a membership exceeding 48,000 women. Highlighting their contributions, he said, “With over ₹3,653 crore in credit linkage, 41,600 women linked to Jan Dhan Yojana, 540 trained Bima Sakhis, and 36 SHG-run CSCs, Goa is proving that women are not just participating, they are leading local development.”
The Chief Minister also pointed to the impressive 99%+ loan recovery rate, which he said, reflects the high level of trust between SHGs and banks. “Goa could generate over ₹900 crore in revolving funds if all SHGs are credit linked,” he added.
Underscoring the state’s commitment to equitable governance, Sawant emphasised the importance of the Swayampurna Goa initiative. “Goa is committed to inclusive governance through its Swayampurna Goa mission, where development reaches every home and builds confidence, dignity, and opportunity,” he said.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Goa’s Rural Development Secretary Sanjay Goel, IAS, MoRD Joint Secretary Smriti Sharan, and Deputy Secretary Monika, alongside senior officials from various states.