The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In her address to the Parliament while presenting the Interim Budget 2024-25, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, announced a significant enhancement in the target for the Lakhpati Didi initiative. The target has been raised from 2 crore to 3 crore, aiming to expand the scope of women’s empowerment and self-reliance in rural India.
The Minister highlighted that eighty-three lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) involving nine crore women are transforming the rural socio-economic landscape through empowerment and self-reliance. These SHGs have already assisted nearly one crore women in becoming Lakhpati Didi, serving as an inspiration for others. The success of these women will be recognized through honouring their achievements. Buoyed by this success, the government decided to enhance the target for Lakhpati Didi.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to inclusive development, the Finance Minister stated that Prime Minister firmly believes in focusing on four major segments of the society: the ‘Garib’ (poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (women), ‘Yuva’ (youth), and ‘Annadata’ (farmers). Their needs, aspirations, and welfare are considered the highest priority, with the understanding that the country’s progress is tied to their advancement.
Smt. Sitharaman further stated that the government’s approach to development is comprehensive, pervasive, and inclusive, encompassing all castes and people at every level. The government’s aim is to make India a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) by 2047, focusing on improving people’s capabilities and empowering them to achieve this goal.