Chhattisgarh's Mahtari Vandan Yojana Helping Create Lakhpati Didis
Dhananjay Rathore Joint Director, Public Relations Raipur
Special Article Raipur, The monthly amount of Rs 1,000 received under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana is proving to be much more than just household assistance for lakhs of women in Chhattisgarh. This amount, combined with loans, self-help groups, and livelihood opportunities, is becoming a stable source of income for women.
The Mahtari Vandan Yojana is one of the state's largest schemes, with approximately 6.8 million women beneficiaries. Under this scheme, Rs 20,075.38 crore have been disbursed to beneficiaries in 31 installments so far. This year, Rs 8,200 crore have been allocated for this scheme in the state budget.
Under the complementary "Mahtari Shakti Rin Yojana" of this scheme, about 41,124 beneficiaries have availed interest-free self-employment loans totaling Rs 102.38 crore from November 2024 to date.
Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai said, "The loans received under this scheme help women selling vegetables, artisans, and those engaged in other small businesses to expand their ventures and strengthen their household finances. This is also helping realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Lakhpati Didi'."
Their Stories Became Examples
Ranu Kaivart, Andi Village, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi
Annual income of Rs 3 lakh from tailoring, clothing and grocery business, along with quail and country chicken farming and hatchery.
Seeta Maravi, Gudumdevari
Achieved an annual earning of up to Rs 2.5 lakh by taking a bank loan of Rs 25,000 for a grocery store and Rs 50,000 from a self-help group for poultry farming.
Suman Lata Wakre, Gudumdevari
Started a grocery store with a Rs 15,000 loan from a self-help group, later expanded with a bank loan. Now earning over Rs 1 lakh annually.
Keju Bai Salame, Ramgarh, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki
Uses the monthly Rs 1,000 from Mahtari Vandan to stock up on grocery items, which has increased sales and put her on the path to becoming a Lakhpati Didi.
13.85 Lakh Women Became Lakhpati Didis
The Mahtari Vandan Yojana, launched virtually in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10, 2024, has played a significant role in achieving the goal of Lakhpati Didis. As many as 13.85 lakh women members of self-help groups in the state have already joined the category of Lakhpati Didis.
The state government has also made a budgetary provision for the Lakhpati Didi Bhraman Yojana, so that Lakhpati Didis can visit business and economic centers across the country as well as prominent Shaktipeeths.