Odisha has achieved a major milestone in women’s economic empowerment with the creation of 16,36,991 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in the financial year 2024–25, as revealed by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in the State Assembly.
The initiative is part of the state’s flagship Mission Shakti program, which supports women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
A “Lakhpati Didi” is defined as a woman SHG member earning over ₹1 lakh annually or Rs 10,000 monthly, engaged in income-generating activities and supported by schemes under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
Ganjam district topped the list with 1,20,400 Lakhpati Didis, followed by significant numbers in districts like Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, and Kalahandi. These women are involved in sectors such as crop production, animal husbandry, forest produce, fisheries, trading, services, and wage labor.
To further boost their income, the government has:
- Doubled the Revolving Fund to Rs 30,000 per SHG
- Increased the Community Investment Fund to Rs 60 lakh at the Gram Panchayat level
- Offered interest-free loans up to Rs 10 lakh
- Facilitated market access through platforms like Subhadra Shakti Market and Retail Mart
Additionally, 40,865 Community Resource Persons (CRPs) have been trained to support SHGs and collect income data via the Digital Aajeevika Register on the LoKOS MIS Portal.
This achievement reflects Odisha’s commitment to building a robust grassroots economy led by women entrepreneurs and aligns with the broader goals of Viksit Bharat and inclusive development.
