Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said the government is committed to making women economically self-reliant and has set a target of creating six crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
Addressing women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) at Krishi Bhawan in the National Capital on Thursday, Chouhan said more than 3.4 crore women have already become ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
He said women whose annual income is below Rs 1 lakh should be helped to increase their earnings beyond that level, asserting that they can achieve success if they get opportunities, training and capital.
“Women should not be dependent on anyone or remain poor. They should be able to live with self-respect,” the agriculture and farmers’ welfare minister said.
Chouhan said the government is working to strengthen SHGs that are yet to become financially active by providing training and linking women with economic activities.
He also urged women to diversify their livelihoods and take up multiple activities, citing examples such as making rakhis and running stitching centres, to increase their incomes.
The minister said a roadmap has been prepared to provide Rs 10 lakh crore in bank linkage to SHGs over five years. He also said a target of Rs 1.5 lakh crore in loans has been set for SHG members to undertake individual businesses and enterprises.
Chouhan said discussions with banks will be held to address delays in providing financial assistance so that women can start their economic activities at the earliest.
Praising the women associated with SHGs for their honesty and commitment in repaying loans, he said they have demonstrated that women can successfully undertake economic activities when provided with the necessary support.
He said the occasion of Raksha Bandhan should also reinforce the commitment to women’s empowerment, with brothers standing by their sisters in times of difficulty just as sisters stand by their brothers.
Chouhan said women have a major role to play in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and urged them to move beyond small activities and take up larger enterprises.
“Viksit Bharat cannot be built by brothers alone. Sisters will also have a very important role in building a developed India,” he said.
Chouhan extended his Raksha Bandhan greetings to the women and said he considers them part of his extended family.
-PTI
