Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday urged women to actively participate in and benefit from the Union Government’s various schemes.
Speaking at a Credit Outreach Program in Madhubani, Bihar, Sitharaman highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women earning over ₹1 lakh annually—in every village, with banks playing a pivotal role in supporting this initiative.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji envisions having a Lakhpati Didi in every village across the country. To achieve this, banks are providing the necessary support, including financial assistance and training to women through self-help groups (SHGs). Thanks to these efforts, many women have significantly increased their earnings. I encourage all of you to step forward and take advantage of the schemes offered by banks,” the finance minister said.
On Friday, Sitharaman distributed sanction letters from banks to beneficiaries under various Central Government schemes during the Credit Outreach Program in Madhubani. Loans worth ₹1,121 crore were disbursed to over 50,000 beneficiaries.
The schemes included PM MUDRA, PMEGP, Kisan Credit Card (Crop), KCC (Animal Husbandry & Fisheries), Stand Up India, PM-SVANidhi, PM Vishwakarma, retail loans, MSMEs, SHGs, and agricultural loans, as mentioned in a social media post by her office.
During the event, Sitharaman also distributed copies of the Constitution of India in Maithili and Sanskrit—recently released on Samvidhan Diwas—to participants. She visited several stalls showcasing local products and handicrafts made by entrepreneurs supported by banks and NABARD, interacting with stall owners to understand their experiences.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Member of Parliament Sanjay Kumar Jha also attended the program.
Earlier on Friday, Sitharaman chaired another credit outreach event in Darbhanga, Bihar, where loans totaling ₹1,388 crore were disbursed to 49,137 beneficiaries. The program included visits to around 25 stalls featuring local crafts and products financed by banks and NABARD.
(ANI)
