Chandigarh: Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission (PSRLM) under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann government is celebrating International Women’s Day on a large scale on March 18, during which 14,100 women entrepreneurs will be honored by the Punjab government at assembly constituencies, districts and state level across the state.
During this event, 100 top entrepreneurs will be awarded Rs 25,000 each. It is noteworthy that the rate of non-performing assets of self-help groups has reduced from 18 percent to 2.16 percent.
Women entrepreneurs will be honored
Announcing large-scale celebrations in this regard and giving information about the financial and institutional benefits being given after the year 2022, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund said that the government has expanded self-help groups across the state, increased funding and strengthened the status of rural women.
Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund said, “100 women entrepreneurs of self-help groups from each assembly constituency of the entire state will be honored with awards. A total of 11,700 women entrepreneurs will be given awards. Similarly, 2,300 women entrepreneurs from 23 districts and 100 women entrepreneurs from each district will be honored.
The top 100 women entrepreneurs of Punjab will be selected by a committee at the state level and each of them will be awarded Rs 25,000. “Thus, 14,100 women entrepreneurs will be honored by the state.”
Major achievements from 2022 to 2026
Highlighting the achievements of the Punjab Government, the Punjab Minister said, “A total of 28,734 SHGs have been formed from the year 2022 to 2026, whereas during the previous governments, 29,053 SHGs were formed between the year 2011 to 2022. Similarly, 2,90,213 SHG members have been included in just four years from the year 2022 to 2026, while “2,97,083 members were inducted during the eleven years from 2011 to 2022.”
Highlighting the institutional expansion, he said, “A total of 2,427 village institutions have been created from the year 2022 to 2026, while 1,806 village institutions were created between 2011 to 2022. Similarly, Rs 53.03 crore has been released as revolving fund to self-help groups from the year 2022 to 2026, while from the year 2011 to 2022 “Rs 28.59 crore were released as revolving fund between Rs.
Significant increase in financial aid
Giving details about the financial assistance, the Minister said, “Rs 84.88 crore have been released as Community Investment Fund from 2022 to 2026, while Rs 105.72 crore was released between 2011 and 2022. Additionally, Self Help Groups have received loans worth Rs 631.76 crore from 2022 to 2026, while Loans worth Rs 171.13 crore were obtained between 2011 and 2022.
Our government has reduced the non-performing assets of Self-Help Groups to 2.16 percent from 2022 to 2026, which was 18 percent between 2011 and 2022. It is clear that the current government has achieved much more than the previous governments.”
Main objective of PSRLM
Explaining the objectives of the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, she said, “The main objective of PSRLM is to economically empower women from rural poor families by linking them with self-help groups. Today, women in rural areas are playing an important role in savings, credit management, small enterprises, cottage industries, agro-support activities and service sectors. Many women have become entrepreneurs in their villages, creating employment opportunities and becoming a source of inspiration for other families.”
Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund said that till now a total of 58,000 self-help groups are functioning, with which about six lakh rural women are associated. Punjab Government is providing Rs 30,000 as Revolving Fund, Rs 50,000 as Community Investment Fund and loan facility at 7 percent interest rate is being provided to these beneficiary women.
So far, bank loans worth about Rs 802.89 crore have been taken by the members, whose non-performing asset rate is only 2 percent. It is clear from this that women are paying the loans on time. Even during the floods, assistance of about Rs 18 crore was provided by the government without interest to buy 3,000 animals.
holistic support to women
Emphasizing on holistic assistance, the Minister said, "Through PSRLM, women are not only being provided financial assistance but are also being linked to training, market access, banking assistance and social security schemes. This initiative is not only increasing the income of rural families but also improving their social status.
We appeal to all to connect more and more women with self-help groups so that they can be economically empowered and the dream of ‘Strong Women, Strong Punjab’ can be realized.
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