Join Central schemes and be self-reliant, Nirmala Sitharaman urges women

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distributes loans in Bihar, emphasizing women's role in India's development by 2047.

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday (November 30, 2024) distributed loans amounting to ₹1,121 crore to 50,294 beneficiaries during the Credit Outreach Programme in Madhubani district of Bihar.

Addressing the gathering at Lalit Karpoori Stadium in Jhanjharpur, Ms. Sitharaman said women would play an important role in achieving the goal of developed India by 2047. She said the government had started the Drone Didi scheme [for self-help groups], which would help in making Lakhpatididis [an SHG member, whose annual household income is more than ₹1 lakh]. “The Prime Minister’s dream is that India’s development should be led by women,” she said.

“Prime Minister Narendra ji says that there should be a Lakhpati didi in every village of the country. For this, the banks are doing whatever work they have to do. Women are being given financial assistance and training through every self-help group. I request everyone to become a part of the schemes launched by the Government of India through the banks and take advantage of them so that everyone can become more capable,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

The schemes under which loan sanction letters were issued include PM MUDRA, PMEGP, Kisan Credit Card (Crop), KCC (Animal Husbandry & Fisheries), Stand Up India, PM-SVANidhi and PM Vishwakarma. Apart from these, loan sanction letters for retail sector, MSMEs, SHGs and farmers were also disbursed.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) also announced approval of more than ₹155.84 crore and ₹75.52 lakh respectively for various rural road projects.

Various banks sanctioned assistance under their CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities for betterment of infrastructure in schools, specially schools meant for girls. She also flagged off an ambulance and announced various activities under CSR.

M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), and top officials of the State Bank of India detailed the financial inclusion initiatives of banks in the district.