Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 17 (HBTV): The Assam government has set a target to empower at least 30 lakh women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the state, transforming them into Lakhpati Didis (Lakhpati Baideu), with a plan to generate a business worth INR 30,000 crore annually.

The Assam Panchayat and Rural Development department has prepared a roadmap for the next 10 years to help women SHG members achieve this goal.

Assam Panchayat Rural & Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass told ANI that there are currently around 8.50 lakh Lakhpati Didis in the state, each earning INR 1 lakh annually from their businesses.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have emphasized women's empowerment. Assam will not move forward until we empower women. Our Chief Minister has launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan. There are around 32 women in SHGs, and we are trying to make them Lakhpati Baideu. As of now, there are around 8 lakh Lakhpati Didis, and we are working to extend this to 32 lakh women. Our Chief Minister is trying to make all 32 lakh women as Lakhpati Didi," Ranjeet Kumar Dass said.

"If we succeed, the total business from these women will be around INR 3,200 crore annually. Under this mission, we are providing INR 10,000 to each SHG member in the next few months. The next step is to link them with banks to secure loans of up to INR 1 lakh. We have already distributed 10,900 scooters to Jeevika Sakhi and GP Sakhi, and we are also providing INR 500 per month for fuel costs. Next year, we plan to distribute 5,000 additional scooters," he added.

The Minister further mentioned that the central government has provided INR 1,577 crore as a revolving fund and capital subsidy, which has been invested among the women SHGs.

"The Assam Chief Minister has released INR 445 crore under the Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Yojana. With continued support, 30 lakh women members of SHGs will achieve financial independence, which will also increase the GDP. If 30 lakh women earn INR 1 lakh each, it will amount to INR 3,000 crore annually," Dass said.

He also noted that if the businesses of women SHG members grow to INR 3,000 crore annually, within the next 10 years, their business could reach INR 30,000 crore, significantly boosting Assam's GDP and potentially positioning it as a leader.

(ANI)