In April 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organized a webinar involving Lakhpati Didis and representatives from the State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) as part of the post-budget consultation series.
- The session focused on collaborative strategies for implementing the 2025–26 Budget announcements.
- The consultation centered around 4 pillars of rural prosperity: Infrastructure, Finance, Marketing and Skill Development to empower SHG women towards financial independence.
Note: A Lakhpati Didi is a member of a Self-Help Group (SHG) who earns an annual household income exceeding Rs. 1,00000.
About Key Initiatives :
Digital Empowerment Tool:
i.MoRD launched the Entrepreneurship Planning Digital Tool (EPDT), developed by an Operating System, LoKOS, to support aspiring Lakhpati Didis.
ii.This tool helps SHG members with:
- Simplified data entry, Entrepreneurial progress tracking, Business plan development and Offer guidance for entrepreneurship
Helpline Support for Women Entrepreneurs:
i.A toll-free helpline (0120-5202521) was launched to assist women aspiring to become Lakhpati Didis.
ii.The service is available Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm (excluding National Holidays).
MoRD Sanctions Infrastructure Projects under PM-JANMAN for Tripura & Odisha:
In April 2025, the MoRD approved major road and bridge infrastructure projects in Tripura and Odisha under the Connectivity component of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).
- These initiatives aim to boost rural connectivity, improve socio-economic conditions, and support the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
About PM JANMAN Mission:
i.The PM JANMAN Mission was launched on 15 November 2023 (Janjatiya Gaurav Divas) from Khunti, Jharkhand, to improve the socioeconomic status of 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and the Union Territory (UT) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands by bridging gaps in health, education, and livelihoods.
ii.The total estimated outlay of the PM JANMAN is Rs. 24,104 crores (Central Share: Rs 15,336 crore and State Share: Rs. 8,768 crore).
Tripura Projects:
- 25 roads have been sanctioned, totaling 84.352 kilometers (km) with an estimated cost of Rs 76.47 crore.
- Additionally, 42 roads (118.756 km length) worth Rs 114.32 crore were earlier approved under PM-JANMAN
Odisha Projects:
- 26 roads measuring 63.271 km and 2 Long-Span bridges (LSBs) with an estimated cost of Rs 69.65 crore have been sanctioned.
- 66 roads of 211.14 km and 4 LSBs costing Rs 219.40 crore were earlier sanctioned under PM-JANMAN.
MoRD Announces Infrastructure Boost for Manipur, Mizoram, HP & Uttarakhand Under PMGSY-III
In April 2025, the MoRD approved new infrastructure projects under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III to enhance rural connectivity and economic development in Manipur, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh (HP), and Uttarakhand.
- These PMGSY-III projects will accelerate inclusive and sustainable development and transform rural infrastructure in the targeted states.
About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana:
i.The GoI launched Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-I) on 25 December 2000 to provide rural connectivity.
ii.Subsequently, the PMGSY-II and PMGSY-III schemes were launched in 2013 and 2019, respectively, for the consolidation of major rural links and through routes to give a boost to the rural economy.
iii.The GoI approved phase IV of PMGSY in September 2024 to provide all-weather road connectivity to 25,000 previously unconnected habitations with varying population thresholds.
Key Sanctions:
i.Manipur: 41 roads measuring 280.97 km with an estimated cost of Rs 225.15 crore have been sanctioned.
ii.Mizoram: 7 LSBs measuring 373.46 meters (m), with an estimated cost of Rs 67.69 crore, have been sanctioned.
iii.HP:21 LSBs of length 970.772 m, with an investment of Rs 140.90 crore, have been sanctioned.
iv.Uttarakhand: 9 LSBs of length 246 m, with an estimated cost of Rs 40.77 crore, have been sanctioned.
About the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD):
Union Minister– Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Constituency – Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Ministers of State (MoS)- Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Constituency – Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, AP) and Kamlesh Paswan (Constituency – Bansgaon, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
