Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan chaired a review meeting at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi to assess the progress of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). During the meeting, he directed officials to work on a war footing to achieve the newly set target of creating 6 crore “Lakhpati Didis” across the country.
The Minister reviewed the latest implementation status of the mission with senior officials of the Ministry of Rural Development. While expressing satisfaction over the progress so far, he emphasized the need for a focused strategy to meet the expanded target within a defined timeframe.
Shri Chouhan stated that achieving the goal of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis would require connecting nearly 10 crore women to various financial inclusion initiatives under the Ministry. He instructed officials to coordinate closely with state governments and develop a concrete, state-specific action plan to ensure effective execution.
He also stressed the importance of optimal utilization of allocated funds under the mission. States that are lagging in performance or facing challenges in fully utilizing sanctioned budgets should be provided with necessary guidance and support. According to the Minister, timely implementation and efficient fund deployment are essential to ensure that the benefits of the programme reach eligible women without delay.
Highlighting the importance of continuous engagement, Shri Chouhan urged officials to strengthen coordination and communication with states. This approach, he noted, would enable a larger number of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Lakhpati Didis to access government schemes and improve their income levels sustainably.
DAY-NRLM operates through four major pillars: institutional building and capacity development, social inclusion and development, financial inclusion, and livelihood promotion. The mission focuses on organizing rural women into SHGs, enhancing their entrepreneurial capabilities, and facilitating access to credit and markets.
Under the Bank Linkage Programme of DAY-NRLM, financial assistance of approximately ₹1.5 lakh crore has been extended to beneficiaries so far. In addition, around 5 crore individuals have been connected with financial literacy initiatives, and nearly 7 crore people have received insurance coverage under various social security schemes.
The Minister reiterated that empowering rural women through sustainable income generation and financial inclusion remains central to the government’s development agenda. Achieving the 6 crore Lakhpati Didi milestone, he said, will mark a significant step toward strengthening rural livelihoods and inclusive economic growth across India.
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