Maharashtra Launches ‘UMED’ Campaign to Register Women’s Self-Help Groups and Create One Crore Lakhpati Didis

Mumbai, July 2026: To promote the economic empowerment and holistic development of rural women, the Maharashtra Government’s Rural Development Department has issued a Government Resolution (GR) on July 17, 2026, launching the ‘Women’s Self-Help Group Registration Campaign and One Crore Lakhpati Didi Mission’ under the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (UMED). The statewide campaign will be implemented from 2026 to 2029, UMED Chief Executive Officer Shridhar Dube Patil announced.

Focus on Bringing Uncovered Women into Self-Help Groups

The campaign aims to identify and register rural women who are not yet associated with any Self-Help Group (SHG). Special priority will be given to seasonal migrant women, sugarcane harvest workers, brick kiln workers, and women from socially disadvantaged communities. These women will be connected to SHGs through Gram Sakhis and community-level institutions.

Target of One Crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a national target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis across the country. Supporting this vision, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has resolved to create one crore Lakhpati Didis in Maharashtra by empowering rural women to achieve an annual income of at least ₹1 lakh.

Shridhar Dube Patil said that under the leadership of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Jaykumar Gore and the guidance of Minister of State Yogesh Kadam, the UMED mission is fully committed to achieving this ambitious goal.

Awareness Campaigns and Capacity-Building Workshops

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Secretary Chandrakant Pulkundwar said that extensive awareness drives and capacity-building workshops will be conducted across the state between July and August 2026. These programmes will train community institutions and women beneficiaries on various aspects of the campaign and encourage wider participation.

Convergence of Government Schemes

The initiative goes beyond merely enrolling women into SHGs. It seeks to ensure the convergence of multiple government welfare schemes, enabling women to benefit from skill development programmes, financial services, livelihood opportunities, and market access for products manufactured by SHGs. The government believes this integrated approach will significantly enhance women’s incomes and pave the way for long-term economic prosperity.

Detailed Implementation Guidelines Issued

To ensure effective implementation, the State Mission Management Unit of the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (UMED) in Navi Mumbai has issued detailed operational guidelines for district and field-level authorities.

Expressing confidence in the initiative, Secretary Chandrakant Pulkundwar said the campaign would usher in a new era of self-reliance, dignity, financial stability, and social empowerment for rural women across Maharashtra.

Appeal to Rural Women

UMED Chief Executive Officer Shridhar Dube Patil has appealed to all eligible rural women who are not yet members of any Self-Help Group to take advantage of this special campaign and join SHGs in large numbers to improve their livelihoods and become financially independent.