Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited Maharastra's, where he felicitated 11 lakh new 'Lakhpati Didis' who achieved the mark during the third term of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Centre. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also released a revolving fund of Rs 2,500 crore that would benefit about 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh self-help groups (SHGs). He also disbursed bank loans of Rs 5,000 crore, which will benefit 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs.
On arriving at the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Jalgaon, PM Modi received a traditional welcome from beneficiaries of the scheme. He also interacted with Lakhpati Didis who came to the Maharashtra district from across the country.
The SHGs are active in the livestock sector, while others have been working in government schemes like ‘Krishi Sakhi’ and ‘NAMO Drone Didi’. The officials implementing the schemes told news agency PTI that SHGs play a vital role in imparting skills that help meet the requirements in rural areas and generate employment locally.
Since the inception of the scheme for making 'Lakhpati Didis' – a woman member of a self-help group earning Rs 1 lakh annually – one crore women have already joined the rank. The government has set a target to make three crore 'Lakhpati Didis'.
PM Modi's Speech
Later, addressing the event, PM Modi noted that till 2014, loans worth less than Rs 25,000 crore were given to women's self-help groups, however, in the last 10 years Rs 9 lakh crore have been disbursed. "No government was able to do since Independence the work Modi govt did for women in 10 years," he said.
The Prime Minister noted that women have a key role in India’s journey to becoming the world’s third-largest economic power. "I said that we have to make three crore sisters 'Lakhpati Didi' and those who also work in self-help groups. In the last 10 years, one crore sisters became 'Lakhpati Didi' and in the last one month... in only one month, 11 lakh more sisters also became 'Lakhpati Didi'," he added.
Talking about the Lakhpati Didi scheme, the Prime Minister said it is not only about boosting the income of women but also about empowering future generations. "We are strengthening laws to ensure stringent punishment for those perpetrating crimes against women," he added.
The Prime Minister also expressed grief over the Nepal bus accident, in which several people from Jalgaon were killed. "I express my condolences to all the bereaved families," he said.