PANAJI
The Goa government has set a target of having at least 11,000 'Lakhpati Didis' in the State by the end of the current financial year, under the Central government’s Lakhpati Didi Scheme.
A Lakhpati Didi is a member of a self-help group (SHG) who earns an annual household income of more than Rs 1 lakh.
Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency Deepali Naik said that the government has set a goal to create 11,000 Lakhpati Didis by the end of March 2025.
She said that all possible support is provided to women entrepreneurs to become Lakhpati Didis.
Naik also said that under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission, 3,804 self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed, covering 48,306 members.
"The SHGs are supported with Rs 19.52 crore from the community investment fund (CIF) released through village organisations (VOs) and revolving fund of Rs 8.28 crore.
Naik said 184 village organisations have received start-up funds of Rs 137.49 lakh, and 791 SHGs have availed bank loans amounting to Rs 3,646.96 lakh.
The GSRLM has created self-employment, livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for 23,556 SHG members of which 15,756 are engaged in farm livelihood activities and 7,800 in non-farm livelihood activities.
One of the Lakhpati Didis, Sneha Naik, who heads the Bhootnath Self Help Group at Pernem, has been working to revive the Kunbi saree in the state.
Naik feels empowered and says she wants all members of her group to become Lakhpati Didis.
