Chandigarh, Feb 26: The Bhagwant Mann government is set to recognize the contributions of thousands of women entrepreneurs at a major state-level function next month. Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond declared on Thursday that 11,700 women at the constituency level and 2,300 at the district level will be honoured for their successes in cottage industries, agriculture, and service sectors.
The Minister asserted that the state’s rural livelihood mission has reached an unprecedented scale, with 2,427 village organizations formed since 2022. He stated that the government has issued significantly higher revolving funds compared to previous administrations, noting that the financial health of these groups has reached a historic high. Minister Sond maintained that the current default rate on loans stands at a negligible 2 percent, proving the success of the state’s credit management training.
“Today, women in rural areas are successfully playing their role in savings and small enterprises,” Minister Sond affirmed. He declared that 100 exceptional entrepreneurs will receive special state awards of ₹25,000 each during the March 18 ceremonies. The Minister stated that many of these women have become inspirations in their villages, creating local employment opportunities that did not exist before.
The administration has facilitated over ₹800 crore in total bank loans for these groups at a subsidized 7 percent interest rate. Minister Sond noted that the government’s holistic support extends to providing ₹18 crore in interest-free assistance for cattle purchases during difficult periods. He declared that the rapid expansion of these groups—adding nearly 3 lakh members in four years—demonstrates the public’s confidence in the current government’s policies.
Minister Sond maintained that the government will continue to fast-track market linkages and banking assistance to further strengthen rural economies. He asserted that connecting more women with these groups is the most effective path toward achieving total economic independence for the state’s rural population.
