ITANAGAR, Jun 19: A meeting of the State-Level Steering Committee on the Lakhpati Didi Initiative was held at the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) State Mission Management Unit Conference Hall in Itanagar on Friday under the chairmanship of Dr Sonal Swaroop, Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The meeting brought together representatives from various line departments and key stakeholders, including officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Skill Development and Horticulture, the Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB), ArSRLM, and the Veterinary Department.
The Lakhpati Didi Initiative, a flagship programme of the Government of India and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, aims at enabling women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to achieve a sustainable annual household income of Rs 1 lakh or more. The programme focuses on livelihood diversification, entrepreneurship development, skill enhancement, financial inclusion and convergence with various government schemes to improve the socio-economic condition of rural households.
Chairing the meeting, Dr Sonal Swaroop stressed the need to prioritize identified Potential Lakhpati Didis under all relevant state and centrally sponsored schemes. She emphasized strengthening inter-departmental convergence to maximize livelihood opportunities and income generation for SHG members across the State.
Representatives from the participating departments presented details of various schemes and interventions that could support the identified beneficiaries. The Chair directed all departments to submit reports on benefits extended to SHG members under different Atma Nirbhar schemes during the past two financial years to assess their contribution toward achieving the initiative's objectives.
The committee also discussed the need to evaluate the skill requirements of identified Potential Lakhpati Didis to facilitate targeted capacity-building programmes. Departments were asked to compile and share relevant data during forthcoming District-Level Steering Committee meetings, which will be chaired by the respective Deputy Commissioners.
During the deliberations, the Chief Executive Officer of Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board highlighted several market linkage initiatives being implemented by the Board, including Mission Arun Himveer. He informed members about opportunities available under the programme and requested ArSRLM to facilitate the participation of Potential Lakhpati Didis to strengthen market access and enhance income-generation prospects for SHG members.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all departments and stakeholders to work in close coordination to achieve the goals of the Lakhpati Didi Initiative and accelerate the socio-economic empowerment of rural women across the State.