Over 1.15 Crore Women in Self Help Groups Achieve Lakhpati Didis Status with Increased Incomes

The government recently informed the Lok Sabha that over 1.15 crore women Self Help Group (SHG) members have achieved an annual household income exceeding Rs 1 lakh, earning them the title of Lakhpati Didis. Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, stated that 1,15,00,274 women across various states have reached this milestone.

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Andhra Pradesh leads with 14.87 lakh Lakhpati Didis, followed by Bihar with 13.47 lakh and West Bengal with 11.81 lakh SHG members earning more than Rs 1 lakh annually. The Deendayal Antodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), a centrally-sponsored scheme by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, is being implemented nationwide except in Delhi and Chandigarh to alleviate rural poverty by organising poor rural women into SHGs.

Impact Evaluation Study Findings

An impact evaluation study conducted in 2019-20 by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation, supported by the World Bank, revealed a 19% increase in income for women enrolled in SHGs compared to the base amount. The study also found a 20% reduction in informal loans and a 28% increase in savings among these women.

The participation of women in the labour force has improved, with a 4% increase in those reporting a secondary occupation in treatment areas. Additionally, access to other schemes has enhanced, with treatment households availing themselves of 6.5% more social schemes.

Structured Approach and NAMO Drone Didi Scheme

The minister highlighted that a structured approach has been adopted to ensure SHG members earn at least Rs 1 lakh annually on a sustainable basis. The NAMO Drone Didi Scheme by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare aims to provide drones to 15,000 SHG members under DAY-NRLM from 2023-24 to 2025-26.

In the financial year 2023-24, fertiliser companies distributed 503 drones to SHG members using their resources. This initiative is part of broader efforts to empower rural women economically and improve their livelihoods through innovative means.

Overall, the DAY-NRLM has mobilised approximately 10.05 crore households into around 90.87 lakh SHGs across India. This initiative continues to play a crucial role in enhancing the economic status of rural women and reducing poverty levels nationwide.