Manik Saha on Monday, May 18, said women-led self-help groups are playing a major role in boosting Tripura’s economy, with over one lakh women becoming ‘lakhpati didis’.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission at Rabindra Bhavan in Agartala, Saha said around 4.95 lakh rural women are currently linked to 55,569 self-help groups across the state and are moving towards financial independence.
He said government initiatives such as Samriddhi 1.0 and Samriddhi 2.0 have helped improve the financial strength of these groups. Under Samriddhi 1.0, the initial loan target of ₹100 crore was later increased to ₹188 crore. Similarly, under Samriddhi 2.0, the target was raised from ₹150 crore to ₹260 crore.
According to the Chief Minister, the state has so far disbursed loans worth ₹2,398 crore to self-help groups. He added that the low non-performing asset (NPA) rate of 1.84 per cent has increased confidence among banks.
Saha said Tripura has already created 1,08,281 ‘lakhpati didis’, which is contributing significantly to the rural economy and the state’s overall growth.
Highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship and skill development, he said TRLM has signed an agreement with Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Innovation Park to support business development initiatives for self-help groups.
Senior officials, including Rural Development Secretary Abhishek Singh and TRLM CEO T. K. Chakma, were also present at the event.