Interim budget increases target for Lakhpati Didi scheme
The Hindu
The Centre plans to increase the target for the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme, aiming to train more women's self-help groups to earn a sustainable income.
Buoyed by its success, the Centre has decided to increase the target for ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme, which aims to train women’s self-help groups to earn a sustainable income of at least ₹one lakh per annum by setting up micro-enterprises within their villages.
The announcement was made by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the interim budget for 2024-25. She said the target for training ‘Lakhpati Didi’ would be increased from existing 2 crore to 3 crore.
“Eighty-three lakh self-help groups with 9 crore women are transforming rural socio-economic landscape with empowerment and self-reliance. Their success has assisted nearly one crore women to become Lakhpati Didi already. They are an inspiration to others. Their achievements will be recognized through honouring them,” Ms. Sitharaman said.
The Finance Minister said that there was a need to focus on four “major castes”. “They are, ‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth) and ‘Annadata’(Farmer). Their needs, their aspirations, and their welfare are our highest priority,” she said, adding that all four require and receive government support in their quest to better their lives.
She said that there will also be expedition of the upgradation of Anganwadi Centres under “Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0” scheme for improved nutrition delivery, early childhood care and development.
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is an integrated nutrition support programme to address the challenges of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content.
Accordingly, the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 programmes saw the highest allocation of funds at ₹21,200 crore, followed by the Mission Shakti (Mission for Protection and Empowerment for Women) which has been given ₹3,145.97 crore.
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