Lakhpati Didi Scheme: Target Raised to 3 Cr from 2 Cr

The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme, which aims to provide skill development training to rural women and help them earn at least one lakh rupees a year, has received a boost in the interim budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday. The minister announced that the target of the scheme has been enhanced from 2 crore to 3 crore women, based on the success of the existing beneficiaries.

What is the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme?

The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech last year. The scheme is meant to empower rural women by providing them with skill development training in various fields such as plumbing, LED bulb making, drone operation and repair, etc. The scheme also provides financial assistance and market linkages to the women to help them start their own enterprises or join existing ones.

How many women have benefited from the scheme?

According to the finance minister, 83 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) with nine crore women are transforming the rural socio-economic landscape with empowerment and self-reliance. Out of these, nearly one crore women have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’ already, meaning they have achieved a sustainable income of at least one lakh rupees a year. The minister said that the government is buoyed by the success of these women and has decided to increase the target of the scheme from 2 crore to 3 crore.

What are the other budget announcements for women?

The finance minister also announced that all anganwadi and ASHA workers will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides health insurance of up to five lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The minister also highlighted the achievements of women in various fields such as education, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), workforce participation, etc. She also mentioned the steps taken by the government to increase the dignity and rights of women, such as making triple talaq illegal, reserving one-third seats for women in parliament and state assemblies, and allocating over 70% houses under PM Awas Yojana to women.