Bhubaneswar, Aug 4: The Odisha government is set to take significant steps to offer ₹10 lakh interest-free loans to women under the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced today.
Speaking to reporters, Parida said she held discussions with key departments on facilitating access to these loans for members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs). “This initiative is aimed at enabling SHG women to expand their businesses and enhance their livelihoods,” she said.
Outlining the government’s broader vision, Parida emphasized the goal of transforming Lakhpati Didis into Crorepati Didis.
“To achieve this, we will offer more exposure, promotional support, financial incentives, and foster strong partnerships between banks and SHGs to improve product marketing,” she added.
Parida, who also holds the Women and Child Development (W&CD) portfolio, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to empowering SHG women. “We are determined to support their growth through interest-free financial assistance and structured economic support,” she said.
The 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative is a joint effort by the Union and State Governments, aimed at helping women earn a minimum annual income of ₹1 lakh.
In a unique outreach, Deputy CM Parida today also interacted virtually with beneficiaries of the Subhadra Yojana from across the state. The session was held at the Departmental Conference Hall under the aegis of the Department of Women & Child Development.
During the interaction, Parida highlighted the growing impact of rural digitalization and the empowerment of women through the Subhadra platform. She praised the collaborative spirit among Odisha’s women, who are increasingly supporting one another through value-added community networks, fostering self-reliance and collective development.
Reiterating the core mission of the Subhadra Yojana, Parida said the scheme is designed to make women economically independent. She encouraged beneficiaries to actively share their feedback and suggestions by writing directly to her or the Department to help further strengthen the programme.
