How Will Maharashtra Create 1 Crore Lakhpati Didis?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Empowerment of women through financial support.
- Interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh available.
- Focus on rural development and self-reliance.
- Implementation in 28,000 Gram Panchayats.
- Incentives for successful villages totaling Rs 250 crore.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sep 17 (NationPress) - Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday the government's plan to extend financial aid to beloved sisters (beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana) in every village. This initiative will provide an interest-free loan of Rs 1 lakh through district central cooperative banks.
According to the CM, this move aims to empower these women to become self-sufficient through entrepreneurship.
The CM expressed the government's commitment to transforming 1 crore beloved sisters into Lakhpati Didi across the state.
He made this announcement during the launch of the Mukhyamantri Samruddhi Panchayat Raj Abhiyan, which will roll out in all Gram Panchayats from September 17 to December 31.
CM Fadnavis emphasized that the Mukhyamantri Samruddhi Panchayat Raj Abhiyan is not merely a scheme implementation initiative but also a movement to instill self-respect in every villager. This coincides with the start of Seva Pandharavada (a service fortnight) in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17.
“Beloved sisters should not be reliant on just Rs 1,500 (the monthly aid under the Ladki Bahin Yojana). Instead, they will be empowered through financial support for their enterprises via women's self-help groups. The government will establish a credit society for beloved sisters in each village, facilitating interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh through district banks. We are resolute in our mission to make 1 crore beloved sisters ‘Lakhpati Didi’,” he stated.
The Chief Minister noted that while several rural development schemes have been initiated, only a few villages have shown significant progress. “With the Mukhyamantri Samruddhi Panchayat Raj Abhiyan, we aim to cultivate a prosperous Maharashtra in every village. This campaign ensures that no village is left behind in development. We will implement all Central and State Government schemes in the villages, with the objective of transforming 28,000 Gram Panchayats and 40,000 villages into model communities,” he added.
He also revealed that Gram Panchayats that excel in this initiative will be rewarded with prizes totaling Rs 250 crore, making it the first scheme in the country to offer such incentives.
“This initiative will significantly improve the lives of the underprivileged. Public participation is crucial. Together, we can foster prosperity within our villages. Many localities are already making strides toward change, including the use of AI in agriculture. Each of us harbors the potential to drive this transformation. This campaign reminds us of that latent potential. I urge every villager to embrace this campaign and contribute to a capable Maharashtra,” he concluded.