CM distributes assistance to SHG women under ‘Sakhi Samvad’ program at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar : Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel addressed women from Sakhi Mandal (Self-Help Groups) at the ‘Sakhi Samvad’ program held at Gandhinagar’s Mahatma Mandir. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality standards of the products to build public trust, noting that the best products will enhance Sakhi Mandal’s reputation and drive sales through positive word-of-mouth. At the event, organized by the Village Development Department and Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company, the Chief Minister distributed ₹350 crore in benefits to over three lakh rural women from 28,000 self-help groups. The CM interacted with 17 Sakhi Mandal representatives from various districts, including Dang Ahwa, Banaskantha-Vadu, Panchmahal, and Porbandar, to hear about their success stories. Chief Minister assured that the government will address both minor and major challenges in product marketing and work towards creating a comprehensive chain from production to marketing for Sakhi Mandal products.

The Chief Minister stated that, alongside boosting women’s economic roles, the Prime Minister is driving national development through the four pillars of ‘GYAN’— Garib (Poor), Yuva (Youth), Annadata (Farmers), and Nari (Women). He noted that this year’s budget allocates ₹3 lakh crore for women-focused schemes. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of empowering rural women with ‘Drone Didi’ initiatives, which provide drone pilot training to foster self-reliance. Reiterating the Prime Minister’s goal, the Chief Minister noted the aim to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis nationwide to support women, with Gujarat targeting 7.50 lakh Lakhpati Didis. Additionally, the state government has introduced policies to boost product purchases from women entrepreneurs on the GEM (Government e-Marketplace) portal. The Chief Minister conveyed that rural self-help groups will be pivotal in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Rural Development Minister Shri Raghavji Patel welcomed everyone and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to gathering women from disadvantaged rural families, providing them with skill training, and securing their livelihoods. The Rural Development Minister assured that the state government has positively addressed the needs and concerns raised by self-help group women during their interaction with the Chief Minister and remains committed to their support. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation for women’s empowerment in Gujarat. Under Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel’s leadership, the State Government is advancing this vision by providing infrastructure, bank credit, and support to self-help groups, thereby creating self-employment opportunities for women in rural areas. The Rural Minister noted that approximately 3 lakh self-help groups have been established in Gujarat, benefiting around 31 lakh women. Rural self-employment training institutes have been set up across 28 districts, with over 3.13 lakh trainees having completed their training. During the event, the Chief Minister distributed ₹350 crore in assistance to over 2.80 lakh women from more than 28,000 self-help groups. Additionally, the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company signed an MoU with PDLite Company to involve 500 self-help group women in livelihood activities.

Additionally, the Chief Minister launched a new online portal for self-help group women to register for participation in the ‘Saras’ Mela. He also launched the Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 Award portal, allowing participation in awards at the Gram Panchayat, Taluka Panchayat, and Zilla Panchayat levels under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Before the event, the Chief Minister visited 33 stalls representing each district, set up by women of self-help groups at Mahatma Mandir. He explored the products and interacted with the women about the products.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Smt. Manisha Chandra, Secretary of the Village Development Department. State Minister for Rural Development Shri Kunvarji Halapati, Gandhinagar Zilla Panchayat President Smt. Shilpaben Patel, Mayor of Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation Smt. Miraben Patel, MLA Smt. Ritaben Patel, MLA Shri Jayanti Patel, Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar, senior officials from the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company, various other state officials, and Representatives from Sakhi Mandals across districts attended the event.
 Source: Information Department, Gujarat