How Does the Scheme Work?
Lakhpati Didi Scheme: The Goan Government has a scheme that looks into increasing the economy of women in rural areas. This program falls under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission and empowers the women through livelihood opportunities to increase their annual household income up to at least ₹1 lakh. This project works to improve the quality of life for the women and helps women become financially independent.
Now, let’s take a closer look at this scheme, its objectives, eligibility, documents needed and how to apply online and offline. How it’s changing the lives of the women in Goa, it is amazing.
What Is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a part of the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission. The scheme focuses on sustainable livelihood generation for women, who are SHG members. The women are called “Lakhpati Didis.” These women are encouraged to take up activities like farming, handicrafts, catering, and small-scale enterprises to increase their income.
The scheme aims to equip women in rural areas with resources, training, and financial support to enable them to earn at least ₹1 lakh annually, thereby improving their living standards.
Who is Eligible for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?
The scheme is available to women who are members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) registered under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission. Here are the basic eligibility criteria:
- Women must be from rural areas in Goa.
- They should be members of a registered SHG under the GSRLM.
- They must be willing to take up income-generating activities such as farming, food processing, or handicrafts.
The program empowers women into becoming independent and equips them with appropriate materials, capital, and education for success.
Documents that are required for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme
To apply for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme, women need to submit the following documents.
- Identity Proof: Either Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or any other government issued ID.
- Address Proof: Ration Card, Electricity Bill, or any sound proof of residence.
- Membership Certificate: Proof of being an active member of a self-help group registered under GSRLM
- Bank Account Details: Copy of bank passbook to enable financial transactions.
- Photograph: Recent passport-sized photographs.
How to Apply for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme
Women can apply for the Lakhpati Didi Scheme both online and offline. Here are the steps:
Online Application Process:
- Visit the official website of the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission (GSRLM).
- Navigate to the “Lakhpati Didi Scheme” section.
- Download the application form or fill it out directly on the website.
- Upload the necessary documents, such as identity proof, address proof, and SHG membership certificate.
- Submit the application online and note down the acknowledgment number for future reference.
Offline Application Procedure:
Go to the nearest office of GSRLM or any other notified government center of your area.
- Obtain an application form of Lakhpati Didi Scheme.
- Fill up the required details and enclose the photocopies of essential documents.
- Hand over the complete application form at the GSRLM office
- Retain a copy of the acknowledgement slip or the receipt.
Thus, both these procedures are uncomplicated and do not pose difficulty for women across all sections.
What is a Lakhpati Didi?
A Lakhpati Didi is one woman who has been empowered under the scheme to earn a minimum annual income of ₹1 lakh. Often, such women are SHG members and actively engage in any number of livelihood activities that are supported by the program. Thus, the name “Lakhpati Didi” encompasses not only a sense of increased earnings but also independence, confidence, and contributions to her home and community.
What is the Target of the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?
The government wants to make 11,000 Lakhpati Didis by the end of the financial year. The target is quite ambitious and falls in line with a broader vision of women empowerment and rural development for Goa. In order to reach this goal, the scheme has provided financial assistance, skill development programs, and access to markets for the products and services that SHG members offer.
What Is the Monthly Income of a Lakhpati Didi?
The annual income of a Lakhpati Didi would be ₹1 lakh, or approximately ₹8,300 monthly. This provides women with regular income to spend on their family, invest in their business, and enhance their quality of life. For many, this is an important milestone towards financial independence and security.
How Does the Scheme Work?
The program works through SHGs, small groups of women who save, borrow, and undertake income-generating activities together. Here is how the scheme supports these SHGs:
Financial Support: Funds are provided through the Community Investment Fund and a Revolving Fund to begin or expand businesses. They also receive bank loans at relatively low interest.
Skill Development: The scheme offers training programs to educate women in developing new skills, increasing productivity, and managing finances well.
Market Linkages: The government ensures that the SHG members have a market to sell their products and services, ensuring better income.
Support for Enterprises: Women are also encouraged to pursue farm-related as well as non-farm enterprises like agriculture, handicrafts, catering services, and other traditional arts, such as weaving Kunbi sarees.
Success Stories of Pernen Goa
Many women in Goa have already had their lives transformed by the scheme. For example, Sneha Naik from the Bhootnath Self-Help Group of Pernem has revived the traditional Kunbi saree and is earning a steady income while preserving Goa’s cultural heritage. Her group is now working towards making sure that all its members are Lakhpati Didis.
Challenges and Future Scope
Though the Lakhpati Didi Scheme has been successful to great extent, yet certain challenges have come about:
- Lack of awareness among women in rural areas.
- There is a limited market access for SHG products in remote villages.
- Scaling up small businesses is difficult.
To overcome such challenges, the government plans to strengthen the training programs, market linkages, and greater financial support to SHGs.
Conclusion
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is an initiative that is empowering women in Goa towards financial independence and improvement in quality of life. Focusing on self-help groups, skill development, and financial assistance, the program has been able to make women self-reliant and contribute to the state’s rural economy. As more women join the program and achieve the title of Lakhpati Didi.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can join the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?
Only women who are members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) registered under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission can join the scheme.
What is the Lakhpati Didi Scheme?
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is a program that empowers women by enabling them to earn at least ₹1 lakh annually through livelihood activities.
How much does a Lakhpati Didi earn monthly?
A Lakhpati Didi receives an amount of about ₹8,300 per month, which accumulates to about ₹1 lakh in a year.
What kinds of activities are women under the scheme doing?
Women take up farming, food processing, handicrafts, catering services, and traditional arts like weaving Kunbi sarees, among others.
What is the goal of the scheme for the government?
The Goa government plans to achieve 11,000 Lakhpati Didis by the end of the fiscal year.
The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is about more than mere financial growth-it’s about developing confidence, self-reliance, and an even brighter future for women in rural Goa. With continued support and determination, this initiative will inspire similar programs across India.
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