Empowering Rural Women Economically and Socially is the Primary Goal of the State Government – Smt. Shreya Guha

The 20th meeting of the Empowerment Committee of the Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika) was held on Tuesday at the Conference Hall in the State Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary of the Rural Development Department, Smt. Shreya Guha.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Guha emphasized that the primary objective of Rajeevika is to organize rural women and empower them both socially and economically, and the State Government is committed to this cause. The council works towards poverty eradication and livelihood promotion through self-help groups (SHGs).

She further explained that the key functions of Rajeevika include the formation and strengthening of SHGs, providing training to rural women, extending financial assistance, offering marketing support, promoting various livelihood activities such as handicrafts, agriculture, and animal husbandry, and enabling SHGs to access credit through financial institutions.

State Mission Director for Livelihood Projects and Self-Help Groups, Smt. Neha Giri, informed that the “Solar Didis” initiative has been launched as part of a new endeavor by the Rajasthan Government in alignment with the Government of India’s goal to achieve renewable energy capacity by 2030. The Solar Didi cadre aims to enhance rural women’s participation and entrepreneurship in the energy sector.

The committee approved the minutes of the previous 19th meeting and reviewed the status of action taken. Progress on the budget announcements for FY 2024–25 and the implementation of announcements for the new financial year were also assessed.

Key initiatives reviewed under the 2025–26 budget included Solar Didis, Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi, and the Inclusive Livelihood Scheme. Additionally, schemes like Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, Bank Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, and Pashu Sakhi were reviewed, particularly the proposal to provide tablets to the top 10 performing Didis in each block. The plan to provide loans of up to ₹1 lakh at 1.5% interest to 3 lakh Lakhpati Didis was also reviewed.

The meeting was attended by MGNREGA Commissioner Smt. Pushpa Satyani, Director of Social Justice & Empowerment Department Shri Ashish Modi, Labour Department Commissioner Smt. Pooja Kumari Parth, Swachh Bharat Mission Director Ms. Saloni Khemka, Rajeevika Project Director (Administration) Smt. Preeti Singh, and other senior officials from concerned departments.