Union Budget 2026-27: Community-owned SHE Marts to be set up for women SHG entrepreneurs, says Sitharaman
The Hindu
Union Budget 2026-27 introduces community-owned SHE Marts to empower women SHG entrepreneurs, enhancing their business ownership opportunities.
Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, community-owned retail shops will be set up for the women entrepreneurs from self-help groups, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday (February 1, 2026).
Presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, the Minister called it the "next step" for these self-help group (SHG) members, towards being "owners of enterprises".
Also read | Union Budget 2026 LIVE
"Building on the success of the Lakhpati Didi programme, I propose to help women take the next step from credit-linked livelihood to being owners of enterprises," Ms. Sitharaman said.
"'Self Help Entrepreneur - SHE Marts' will be set up as community-owned retail outlets within cluster-level federations through enhanced and innovative finance instruments," she said.
A Lakhpati Didi is a woman member of an SHG whose annual household income reaches at least ₹1 lakh.
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